There is a fine line between what you need and what you want sometimes. Do you need cable service? Or can you get by with a less expensive option? Is it necessary to purchase a laptop when you do most of your work on your desktop that is in great shape? Separating what is a need from what is a want can be painful, but it can help you stay on budget so that you can afford the things that are really important to you in the long run.
Maintain a Cooling Off Period
With so many advertisements constantly bombarding us all day, every day, it is easy to think of new things that we want. Once we fixate on an item, our brains begin to work out exactly why that item is something we really need. This is a dangerous time for your bank account. One way to really determine whether an item is something you need rather than just something you want, give yourself a specific cooling off period before you make a big purchase. Take three days to think about how you will feel when that money is gone from your account. It is much better to have buyer’s remorse before you actually make the purchase than to feel guilty after you’ve already spent the money.
Find a Distraction
Most people have plenty of things going on in their lives. When you find yourself wishing for something that may be a want rather than a need, find something to do to take your mind off of it. Play a game with your kids. Make a special trip to the library and browse for a free new book to take home and devour. Maybe it is finally time to paint the back bathroom. If you like to play video games, start a new character in a game that you haven’t played for awhile. Once you have turned your attention to something new that is free or inexpensive, you may find that you are not as anxious to make that purchase as you were before.
What Difference Will the Item Make Daily?
Think about the item you want to buy. How will it impact your life? Be honest with yourself. A new computer tablet may be enticing, but what will it really do for you? Will you use it for work related projects, or will you spend most of your time playing games on it? Think about what your normal routine is without the item, and then think about where you will fit in time to use the item you are wanting. Chances are, you will have to take time away from something you are doing now to make time to use the item you want. If you can’t find a practical purpose for keeping the item, there is no reason to spend money on it.
Does it Duplicate Something you Already Own?
Computer systems and video games are notorious for coming out with brand new versions every single year. If you own and enjoy the 2010 baseball game on your PS3, why do you need to run out and buy the 2011 version as soon as it is released? Most new versions only have small changes overall. Think about what you own that is already similar to what you are wanting to buy. If you can enjoy yourself with the current version, put off your new purchase for a little while. If your current netbook works just fine, you don’t really need to buy a new one just because it has a slightly faster processor.
Find Creative Alternatives
If you think about it, you will probably be able to come up with ways to get the results you are looking for without spending as much money. Many items are available for free or for much less than the full retail price through online services. You could spend a fraction of the price of a full season DVD set of your favorite television show by subscribing to an internet television provider like Netflix. A nice side benefit is that you will have access to dozens of other shows you hadn’t even thought of yet. Look at all of your options before you spend the big bucks on something that you don’t really need.
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