Last night’s dinner conversation was an interesting one. My son used all his charm to ask for the latest iPhone. When I asked why, his answer was simple. A friend from his tuition class had received it as a birthday gift, and suddenly, that phone felt essential.
I’m sure most of us have faced similar moments, either as parents or as individuals.
And truthfully, this behaviour doesn’t stop with children. As adults, we are no different. When someone around us upgrades to a bigger home, buys the newest gadget, or makes a bold investment, a quiet voice inside us asks, “Why not me?” Before we realise it, we start taking impulsive decisions that can prove to be financially risky in a long run.
This is exactly where a smart financial plan plays a crucial role. A good plan doesn’t tell you to stop wanting things. Instead, it asks you to slow down and align your desires with three simple questions: how will you pay for it, why do you want it, and when does it truly make sense?
So should we suppress every desire and label it as greed? Absolutely not.
How do we differentiate between Greed and Ambition
Unchecked greed says, “I must have this now, no matter what.” This mindset often leads to stress, debt, and poor financial decisions. Informed ambition sounds different. It says, “I would like this, if it fits my plan, my timeline, and my financial reality.” That approach creates steady growth, satisfaction, and long-term financial stability.
“More” Just Needs a Purpose
The word greed makes people uncomfortable because it is often associated with negativity. But desires and wishes themselves are not harmful. In fact, they often motivate us to learn, earn more, save better, and invest wisely.
The real power lies in asking one honest question: Why do I want this?
- Will a bigger home genuinely improve comfort, or will it only increase pressure?
- Will the latest gadget add real value, or is it mainly about keeping up appearances?
Am I investing because I understand the risks, or simply because everyone else seems to be doing it?
When desires are connected to a meaningful reason, financial decisions become far more grounded and confident.
Balance Desire With Reality
We are free to dream big, but we also have to be honest about our financial foundations. We can absolutely want bigger things, but we ought to build a strong base first.
- If there is high-interest debt, chasing “more” can be dangerous.
- If there is no emergency fund, big goals can quickly turn into future problems.
- If a goal is short-term, investing in high-risk products may derail your finances if they are losses.
Ambition works best when it stands on a stable foundation.
Beware
Without a plan, “more” becomes a moving target.
Bigger home → then a bigger upgrade → then a bigger upgrade
Latest gadget → next version → newer model.
Investments → riskier bets → gambling disguised as growth.
We never feel satisfied because “more” keeps stretching, and the goalpost keeps moving. Defining what “enough” means brings freedom.
A Simple Framework for Every Desire
Desire → Prioritise → Align
First, acknowledge what you want, without guilt.
Next, prioritise. What matters most right now? What can wait? What aligns with your values?
Finally, align each desire with your budget, risk capacity, timeline, and life goals.
This simple process turns impulsive reactions into intentional decisions.
Pause and Review
It is always useful to pause and reflect on our lives, our ambitions, and our current capacity. This kind of introspection helps us make conscious, well-thought-out choices.
Ask yourself:
How have my past spending decisions contributed to my growth as a person?
What should I do today to shape a better future?
Are my foundations strong? Am I largely debt-free? Do I have an emergency fund? Are my core skills strong?
When we do this regularly, our financial plan evolves along with our life.
So the next time the thought “I want that” pops up, pause for a moment and ask: Why? How much? When? And does it fit into my plan?
That small pause can make the difference between chasing randomly and achieving wisely.
Coming back to my son’s request, our discussion eventually shifted to understanding wants versus needs and the real utility of the gadget. He now agrees that an upgrade is not necessary at this stage. Instead, he is considering enrolling in a new course to upgrade his skills.
And that, I believe, is a far smarter kind of “more.”
Shreedhara is the Founder & Director of Ara Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. He has an experience of over 2 decades in Financial Service Industry with majority of it in guiding individuals and institutions on their investments requirements.
