This topic goes deep. Basic desires can't be escaped, food/shelter/clothes. Certain desires which improve your quality of life should be given priority.
A thing to understand is don't go blind after desires. Taking out savings, taking loans to fullfill unnecessary desires is stupidity. A finance saying goes, fullfill your desires from the wealth generated from your investments, thus you preserve capital as well and fullfill your desires too.
Most people would let their desires win due to comparison to the other people, cause if they are contented of what they had, for sure they could save money with taking loans and withdraw savings just to buy unnecessary things that can't help for your own convenience. Focusing in investment rather than comparing would build up the mindset of "in the future or sooner I would also afford that" which is actually good cause for that term you could be financially stable to buy things you want.
It is okay to have “wants” or desires ‘coz it could push us to perform better or to use it as an inspiration or rewarding system to ourselves. Problem only is that some people are disregarding limits or that their wants are not proportionate with what they can provide or spend. Better to seek for financial management lessons or watch things related to it in order to handle our funds well and to avoid spending too much. Some would say the things we should buy are things which could generate profit, well that’s valid but that’s not how our ego works and satisfaction. Understanding indeed the word “afford” is a must ‘coz not because you can buy something, it would mean that you can afford it. If you would be struggling financially after that purchase then you just forced yourself to buy it.
But with the topic, can we meet our desires and needs at the same time? Yes. An individual may do savong for that phone, car, or house. Urgency would also play a role with this one. Knowing the “right” time when to buy it is an important thing as well.