Martha Tobin
It’s not easy to avoid ‘impulse buying’ as you head into the Christmas season with the daily bombardment of holiday tunes, decor and gift promotion.
Corporations and retailers are very persuasive at separating you from your hard-earned money and encouraging emotionally-driven purchases. But in our current economic times it’s more important than ever to give pause to what you can afford and what will add to your life instead of overwhelming it.
Here are five questions to ask yourself to avoid impulse purchases:
1. Consider where this item is going to ‘live’ in your home or your recipient’s home.
2. Is this an item you can afford?
3. Is this item replacing or upgrading something necessary?
4. Are you buying this item because it will truly enhance your life or your recipient’s life?
5. Will you regret not purchasing this item?
The volume and variety of products available and the ‘click of a button’ delivery of these items makes purchasing very easy.
This year consider pausing before you buy any spur-of-the-moment purchases and ask yourself about their long term value. Will they add to your life or just add to your feelings of overwhelm?
Often adding more ‘stuff’ to life is not the solution but rather, letting go of items is where happiness comes from.
“Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.”
(Minimalist Lifestyle)
