As holiday season comes around, there’s a tendency for you to splurge so you can treat yourself. I mean, you shop online regularly anyway, so an extra few hundred dollars won’t make or break your bank account! On the other hand, you’ve got people who rarely ever buy anything and somehow manage to keep their money safe from being spent on random items – that’s me. Shopping is a whole process that can take weeks or even months before something is added to my shopping cart!
The question is not “Why are you so cheap?” but rather “Why don’t you want to buy it?” because cost is usually not the main factor. It all comes down to whether I actually need something, or if I just want it. Here’s my shopping thought process (and how items end up getting removed from my shopping cart):
Clothes
When it comes to clothes, I always like to try it on in the store first. It’s hard to tell if a shirt will fit well based on photos and a size chart, especially since it varies for different brands.
- Does it fit well? I need to make sure I actually look good in it before buying it.
- Is it comfortable to wear? Some clothes have more static than others, which can get annoying when it starts messing up your hair or you get shocked by everything you touch. I also like clothes that give me the freedom to move, jump, spin, or just lay on the couch and not have to worry about ruining it.
- What can I wear with it? If you’re shopping for clothes that are different from your usual style, it’s good to make sure you can still mix-and-match with what you have! Otherwise, you might have to buy a whole closet of new clothes.
- How often will I wear it? Clothes that are bought for a special occasion make it harder to wear on a regular day. If you don’t wear it often, it’ll just be taking up space in your closet, like that elegant dress you bought to attend your friend’s themed party.
- Is the quality of material good and washable? When the material is delicate, not only do you have to be more careful when you wear it, you also have to be careful when you wash it. You may end up wearing it less because of this.
- Do I already have something that is similar? If it’s another blazer, do you really need it?
Everyday Items
Buying everyday items require a lot more research (which is how I ended up spending months before deciding on a lunch container) because unlike shirts that are more unique in style, everyday items also have different features across different brands. These questions ultimately help me decide whether I really need this item.
- Is the item replacing something that is broken? When something breaks in the house, chances are, you need to replace it. The other condition I would consider is if the item is not serving its purpose effectively, like a phone that keeps crashing or a bag with a hole and a broken strap – they’re still usable, but it’s worth considering a replacement.
- How will this improve my quality of life? Whether it’s a sewing machine or a calculator, if it can do a better and quicker job than you, then you could spend that time you save on something else! Another example would be upgrading to an ergonomic workspace – this is an investment that you will benefit from in the future.
- Is the product durable? It’s important to check out the reviews on the product before buying it – I might even take an extra step and research the brand. You probably don’t want to spend your money on a pan that breaks easily and have to buy another one.
- How many times will I use this? If you only attend potlucks and parties once every year, maybe you don’t need that serving platter.
- What will I do with the old one? If the old one is still usable and you’re not planning to throw it out, why do you need to get a new one?
- Do I really like this? I look through the product details carefully to make sure it is exactly what I want, or that I’m okay with it not having some features I want. The worst situation is when you only use it a few times because you realize you don’t like it – it just becomes a useless item sitting around your house!
Other Items That Would Be Nice to Have
Outside of clothes and everyday items, the other category would be things that enhance your life and make you happy to own it. These aren’t essential to live, but it’s just nice to have – if you have the space for it.
- Is this something I can use or will it just be on display? A LEGO set might sit on your desk collecting dust if you don’t find a good space for it in the glass cabinet!
- What will I do with it? If it’s a game to play with friends, I would check if a friend already owns it and that it’s a game worth buying. Another plushie? I can only hug so many at once…
- Is this a collectible? Besides being able to say “I own it” and show it off to friends, what else can you do with it?
- Why do I want this? This is a quick check to either validate your reasons for buying it, or help you save money (and space) if you realize that you don’t really want it as much as you thought you did.
Almost In Your Shopping Cart
In general, the three main questions I ask myself again are:
- Do I like it?
- Do I want it?
- Do I need it?
Once I have a “yes” for all three questions, it’s time to check out the price – is the price reasonable? Price is not the main factor, but you don’t want to pay more than you should or miss out on any deals and coupons! I would also check if there will be a discount in the next few weeks if it’s not something you need immediately.
After going through these important questions, I can finally add the product to my shopping cart.
It’s time to save money and reduce the clutter in your house. How much money do you think you can keep safe from being spent now?