The article analyzes how people make choices about what to consume when they are struggling to meet their basic needs. It focuses on two types of goods: food and non-food items. The study shows that when individuals are not able to meet their basic needs, they prioritize getting enough food. This can help us understand why some families may resort to child labor when they are very poor. The research suggests that this new way of looking at consumption decisions can give us a better understanding of how people living on the edge of poverty make choices about what to buy.