Do I Really Need To Buy This Thing?
No, this is not just about saving money.
After our decluttering conversation last time, I was reflecting more on how my move and decluttering process has shifted my buying decisions. Similar to how getting back into the gym or running makes you wish you never stopped the habit, the process of sorting things and donating and throwing out has made me much more cautious in what I choose to bring into my home. If you’re looking for a helpful decision framework, here’s another list of questions to guide you. To preface: in order for these questions to be helpful, we have to pause before we make the purchase. That might mean leaving the store for a moment, or closing the tab with the item in your cart. Give yourself some time, especially for larger purchases, and come back to it when you’ve separated yourself from the impulse and emotion of the purchase.
1) Do I actually need this thing right now?
Again, starting with something that seems obvious, but we often miss. Sometimes I’ll see an Instagram ad for something (yes, I fall for these, not my proudest moments) and think how convenient it would be to have it. Yet, as I pause and think about it, I’ll often realize I wouldn’t actually use it very often. Maybe I would use it, but is once or twice a year really worth it? Or, maybe I would use it, but out of guilt because I already bought it, and might as well save the money and the guilt and not buy it in the first place.
2) Where will I put it?
Especially for larger items, it’s helpful to think this one through. Maybe it would be a nice thing to have, but if you live in a small space, it isn’t worth the space it requires. I’ve got a few kitchen items on my long-term wish list, but y’all, in our new apartment, there isn’t a whole lot of counter space. So, for now, I’ll do without the extra kitchen appliance in order to retain some visible countertops.
3) Is this the best use of my dollars at this time?
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not great at keeping a budget. I try to be conscious of what I spend, but sometimes I simply do not do well with it (again, not my proudest moments). It helps to zoom out and think about my larger financial and life goals, again, especially with more sizeable purchases. If I frame it as “do I want this thing right now even if it means I will have to save up longer for a house?”, even if it may not make that much of a difference, is helpful just to put things into perspective.
No question is foolproof; we will all inevitably spend money we didn’t need to on things we don’t need at times we don’t need them. However, choosing to take a deliberate pause before making a purchase, even a small one, can make a big difference in how we make decisions. It’s not just about spending less money; the true cost of an item isn’t just the sticker price, but the time and space it takes, too. At the end of the day, money and things are just transactions we make to serve our needs in life, and more doesn’t always mean better.
Journal Prompt of the Week
Which question above do you believe will be the most helpful in limiting your unnecessary purchases?