Ten Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Buy Anything

Consumerism is hard to escape in our current society. Many people struggle with over-spending and debt. We are constantly surrounded with tactics that encourage us to impulse buy (learn to recognize these tactics by reading this article from Shopify). With that, and the constant bombardment of advertisements these days, it is not surprising that many of us end up buying things we don’t actually need.

I used to get really caught up in the fun and excitement of shopping. My closet ended up full of things I thought I loved in the store, but never ended up wearing. And on top of that, the things I didn’t use took up so much space that I wasn’t able to enjoy the things I actually loved! This created a cycle where I didn’t like my wardrobe and tried to fix it by buying more things, only to dislike it even more! What a waste of money!

Thinking about all the money I had been wasting on pointless purchases made me decide to make a change. I started to be more mindful about what I was buying by thinking about what I actually needed and what I already owned. In doing so, I created a series of questions to go through in my head before I make a purchase. Asking myself these questions helps me to think objectively about what I am buying, and separate myself from the excitement that can go along with shopping.

Here are the 10 questions I ask myself before I buy anything:

1. Is this something I really like?

2. Is this something that I need?

3. Do I already own something that can serve the same purpose as this item?

4. Will I use this item enough to justify the amount it costs?

5. Will I use this item enough to justify the space it will take up in my home?

6. Do I know someone who can lend me this item on the occasion that I do need it?

7. Is this something that I need to buy right now?

8. Can I wait to purchase this until it goes on sale?

9. Can I get this item or something similar somewhere else for a better price?

10. Can I get this item second-hand?

Check out this post to learn why I thrift all my clothes!

With the help of these questions, my home is no-longer crowded with possessions that I don’t use! I am also able to enjoy the items I do buy a lot more because I took the time to carefully select them. Now that I take the time to look for sales and second-hand options, I am spending a lot less money on my belongings, but still getting to enjoy the experience of shopping when I search for the perfect items.

Looking for more money-saving lists? Check out this post to learn 5 beauty swaps that will save you money!

Did you find this list helpful? Comment below what tricks you use to stop yourself from impulse buying!