Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying Stuff
Before I purchase something that would be considered in the category of consumer discretionary spending (the purchase of anything that’s not essential to function in society) I mentally go through the following questions. I do this to not only cut down on unneeded expenses but also reduce the total amount of stuff I will accumulate and eventually toss into a landfill before I die.
In this article I will be going into detail about each question, then give a couple of examples of the types of purchases I have, and have not, made throughout the years using these questions.
Do I really need this?
I ask myself this question to gauge the usefulness and value of whatever I’m considering to purchase. I quickly think about how often I would use the item, and the immediate effect the item will have on my day-to-day life.
Will this bring me, or someone that I love, long term joy?
Most things that I buy, I can definitely go without, so I ask myself this question to see if whatever I’m buying will bring me long term happiness. The key term here is “long term.” Somethings you buy can bring you joy momentarily, but in the long term they become mundane and the “joy factor” that it once had is reduced to being ordinary. The previous question dealt with the immediate effect of purchasing the item, but this question deals with the long-term impact on my life.
Is there a cheaper alternative?
If the previous two questions resulted in a yes, I try to do some research to see if there is a cheaper, or rather more cost-effective, alternative, that doesn’t sacrifice both the quality and the value I would get from the item.
Can I afford it without going into debt with interest?
If I can’t answer yes to this question, I will not make the purchase. Again, the definition of “consumer discretionary” spending means non-essential: luxury apparel, entertainment, services, etc. If I can’t purchase it without going into debt, then it’s not worth it for me.
My purchase examples
1. Online Shaving Kit Subscription
Do I really need this?
I need to shave once every couple of days – I don’t like the stubble look or the fully bearded look. A shaving subscription would save time going to the store to buy razors and shaving cream.
Will this bring me long-term joy?
Not really.
Is there a cheaper alternative?
Yes, a safety razor is a non-disposable razor you can equip with feather blades which are a fraction of the cost of disposable razor heads. Also, I can buy a badger brush and a shave soap bar which will last longer than a gel. Also, steel feather blades can be recycled.
Verdict? By going with a safety razor, I saved myself $15-20 every month.
2. Audio Books Subscription
Do I really need this?
I don’t absolutely need this.
Will this bring me long term joy?
I didn’t know the answer to this question. I’ve always enjoyed reading, and I felt that being able to listen to a book during my long commute would expand my knowledge and improve me as a person. The answer to this was “maybe” … I would have to try it and see.
Is there a cheaper alternative?
I can listen to free podcasts or download freely available audiobooks, but many books aren’t offered for free online so the answer to this is no.
Can I afford it without going into debt?
I can try it for a couple of months without hurting my monthly budget
Verdict?
After listening to several audiobooks, I saw that this purchase definitely improved my life for the long term and would continue to bring me joy as I read and learned more.
3. Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Do I really need this?
I already have wired earbuds that seem to work perfectly fine, so technically I don’t really need it. I wouldn’t use the noise-canceling feature often.
Will this bring me long term joy?
I don’t think so. I think I would be psyched to use them at first but I don’t think I would get long-term value from them.
Verdict?
Don’t buy it.
4. Stainless Steel Japanese Chefs Knife
Do I really need this?
No, I have several knives already – they just need to be sharpened. I don’t cook every single day, so I wouldn’t use it often.
Will this bring me long-term joy?
It would become just another knife after a while … I enjoy cooking, but I don’t think I’m as passionate about it as some others. I wouldn’t really appreciate the knife
Verdict?
Don’t buy it
Conclusion
I haven’t always made the smartest purchase decisions. When I was younger I bought a brand-new Canon DSLR, which today I rarely use, a questionable amount of fancy mason jars, and nice shoes and watches which I rarely wear. Now, I’m much more mindful of my purchases. As a result, the things that I do buy actually get used often, and bring me, or my loved ones, some amount of happiness continually.
I’ve also come to the discovery that marketing is everywhere – it’s sneaky, subtle, subverted, and oftentimes has worked in the subconscious of my mind to bring up the desire to buy. In my opinion, the pervasiveness of marketing efforts trying to convince us to buy and spend is only growing so it has been critical for me to really question my purchase decisions.