In addition to primary needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, individuals often seek to satisfy secondary needs to enhance their comfort and facilitate daily activities.

For instance, purchasing a laptop can help support your work, facilitate taking a course, or provide entertainment after a long day.

Although non essential compared to primary needs, secondary needs remain valuable in daily life.

So, how can you meet these needs without straining your finances? Read the explanation in this article.

What Are Secondary Needs?

Secondary needs are types of needs that are usually met after primary or basic needs.

These needs serve to enhance comfort, support daily activities, and improve quality of life. Unlike primary needs related to survival, secondary needs are more flexible.

This means that the type and importance of these needs can vary depending on an individual’s circumstances, job, environment, and lifestyle.

For example, a laptop may be considered a secondary need for permanent employees who have already been provided with such equipment for work.

However, for freelancers, a laptop is an essential need or in other words, a priority. 

Characteristics of Secondary Needs

Quite a few people still mistakenly believe that secondary needs are the most important and essential.

To prevent confusion, below are the key characteristics of secondary needs:

• It is not urgent. Secondary needs do not require immediate fulfillment. You can put things off without worrying about your survival.

• These are complementary and supporting items. Don’t forget, secondary goods are items that make life easier, more comfortable, and more practical.

• Increasing happiness. Purchasing secondary products brings joy, a unique sense of satisfaction, or extra comfort. 

• Flexible and relative. Secondary needs can also vary depending on circumstances, social status, and time. In fact, it’s not impossible that secondary goods could become primary needs in the future.

• Depending on purchasing power. Whether or not a person is able to meet his or her secondary needs depends on his or her financial situation.

Examples of Secondary Needs

There are various types of secondary needs. Here are several common examples from everyday life.

1. Electronic Devices to Support Activities

Smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices can be considered secondary needs when used to support communication, work, education, or daily activities.

Although they are not basic necessities, these devices can provide practical benefits and boost productivity.

Therefore, purchases should still be based on your needs and financial means.

2. Personal Vehicles

A motorcycle or car can also be a secondary necessity, especially for highly mobile individuals.

Previously, cars were viewed as luxury items.

However, due to the need for mobility, private vehicles are considered an essential need because they make it easier to travel to work, school, and various other activities.

However, do not consider only the purchase price.

Biaya bahan bakar, perawatan, dan pajak, juga perlu dimasukkan ke dalam perencanaan keuangan.

Kalau istilah zaman sekarang, orang yang punya mobil itu bisa dibilang orang have.

3. Hiburan dan Rekreasi

Menonton film, langganan layanan streaming, menjalankan hobi, atau berlibur sesekali merupakan contoh kebutuhan sekunder yang berkaitan dengan rekreasi. 

Hiburan dapat memberikan waktu untuk beristirahat dari rutinitas. 

Tetap buat anggaran khusus agar pengeluaran hiburan tidak mengambil porsi dana untuk kebutuhan utama.

Kalau kamu liburannya ke luar negeri, pasti ada saja orang-orang yang komentar “wih, liburannya orang have, nih”

4. Pendidikan Tambahan dan Pengembangan Diri

Kursus, pelatihan, buku, seminar, atau kelas keterampilan juga termasuk dalam kebutuhan sekunder. 

Pengeluaran ini bahkan bisa menjadi investasi untuk meningkatkan skill dan membuka peluang baru. 

Agar lebih bermanfaat, pilih pengembangan diri yang sesuai tujuan dan kebutuhanmu.

5. Peralatan Rumah Tangga 

AC, mesin cuci, microwave, vacuum cleaner, atau peralatan rumah tangga modern lainnya dapat dikategorikan sebagai kebutuhan sekunder. 

Barang ini memang bukan kebutuhan dasar, tetapi dapat membuat pekerjaan rumah menjadi lebih praktis dan hemat waktu.

Rencanakan Kebutuhan Sekunder Lebih Bijak 

Karena bukan kebutuhan yang paling mendesak, pembelian barang sekunder sebaiknya dilakukan setelah kebutuhan primer, cicilan, dan dana darurat diperhitungkan. 

Dengan begitu, keinginan untuk meningkatkan kenyamanan tidak justru membuat kondisi keuangan menjadi terbebani.

Untuk membantu mewujudkan kebutuhan sekunder secara lebih terencana, kamu bisa mulai menabung secara rutin lewat Tahapan BCA. 

Jika ingin menabung dengan setoran rutin sesuai jangka waktu tertentu, Tahapan Berjangka BCA dapat menjadi salah satu pilihan yang bisa dipertimbangkan.

Dengan menentukan prioritas dan menyiapkan dana sejak awal, kebutuhan sekunder dapat dipenuhi tanpa harus mengorbankan kebutuhan pokok. 

Untuk informasi lebih lanjut, kunjungi halaman produk tabungan dan layanan produk BCA lainnya di sini. 

Selain itu, kamu juga bisa pakai produk Poket Rupiah BCA untuk mengalokasikan kebutuhan sekunder yang sedang kamu incar. 

Nantinya, Poket Rupiah ini bisa dipakai untuk jenis rekening seperti Tahapan, Tahapan Gold, Tapres dan Tahapan Xpresi. 

Melalui Poket Rupiah di myBCA, kamu bisa membuat hingga 100 poket dalam 1 rekening dan tidak dikenakan biaya tambahan. 

Untuk informasi lebih lanjut, kunjungi laman produk tabungan di website BCA atau hubungi Halo BCA di 1500888 atau melalui aplikasi haloBCA.