You’re out at the store to pick up something on your list, when you come across something great you never knew existed. How neat! If you never knew you needed it, though, then you still don’t need it today.
Photo by Hajime Nakano.
As personal finance blog Enemy of Debt points out, this tendency to buy things we didn’t plan for can be a huge drain on our finances. It’s no surprise, either. Retailers are great at tricking your brain into thinking you need something. If you only buy the things that were on your list to begin with, though, you’ll never have to worry about overspending:
Be a conscious spender. Take the time to THINK about your purchases. Be selfish with your money, and evaluate the value your purchase would bring to your life. If you can do that, I think you’ll find yourself buying only things that truly enhance your life, and a little extra cash in your wallet.
If you find something while browsing in a store that you really think is worth your money, add it to your list. If you still care about it the next time you come in, then it might be worth picking up after all. At least then, it’s a planned purchase, instead of an impulsive buy you might regret.
Don’t Spend Money On Things You Didn’t Know You Needed [Enemy of Debt via Rockstar Finance]
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