Food, clothing, and shelter are among the most fundamental needs of man. In today’s global economy, the range or selection of goods, products, and related services is definitely greater than what the earlier generation had experienced.  This makes wiser decision-making all the more important, yet can sometimes be a difficult task given the overwhelming pieces of data and choices.  The old-fashioned way of calling by phone or going to the library to research about something has been replaced by the almost instantaneous search and evaluation made possible by the internet and modern computer technology.  

Yet it is apparent that practically every activity of man is geared towards an increase above and beyond what is there before. Hence, we are always on the search for more food, new fashion (eg, clothes or shoes), or bigger houses and more living space. In other aspects, such may represent improved intelligence, more beauty, or more opulence.  Some may even equate accumulation of wealth with more life, which may be true on one plane. But then again, the best definition or benchmark of luxury or need can sometimes depend on one’s station in or phase of life.