This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
How do you manage your money?
People who hoard money and never spend it aren’t living.
Money is meant to be utilized to enjoy life and get what you need and desire out of it.
There is nothing wrong with spending money.
There is nothing wrong with indulging here and there.
There is nothing wrong with buying that thing you’ve desired for the longest.
There is nothing wrong with buying new things that add convenience, happiness, and satisfaction to your life.
The only time spending and indulging becomes problematic is when your purchases hurt your financial state.
Spending isn’t bad.
But overspending is bad.
Many things people buy are unnecessary and don’t fit the definition of a “basic need.”
Many of you have expendable income or resources that make it seem like you have more income than you actually have.
73% of purchases are impulse buys, meaning most things you buy are completely optional.
What happens if you continue investing in optional buys and compromising your financial progress?
Well, you don’t make any financial progress, and you set yourself up for financial setbacks.
After The “Unnecessary” Purchase Consequences
After making a purchase, your finances should not be compromised to a point where you have no money or only a little money in your bank account, can’t pay your bills, or you’re further behind on your investment and savings goals.
When your spending hurts your financial progress, your habits are officially a problem.
Before You Make An “Unnecessary” Purchase
The trigger on that purchase should not be fired until…
The purchase will not set you back further in debt.
You confirm you will have money in your bank account afterward.
You’re on track with your savings and investing goals for the month.
You’re not in need of the next paycheck if you execute the purchase.
You don’t need a credit card for the purchase; you have cash funds.
Things That Shouldn’t Occur After An “Unnecessary” Purchase
You should not feel financially stressed about the purchase.
You should not try to figure out how you will pay x, y, and z after the purchase.
You should not be saying things such as, “There goes my rent, grocery, or bill money.”
You should never compromise the ability to provide for your basic needs.
You should not experience financial regret.
Ever experienced any of these after you made a purchase?
If so, you’re like all of us.
These are gauges you can leverage to help you determine if you’re on the right financial path before and after a purchase.
Sometimes, our feelings tell us everything we need to know about a purchase.
If you’re trying to make things work and forcing unhealthy “creative ways” to make an unnecessary purchase work, you probably need to steer clear of it.
I will never forget how several people in my lifetime, tried to make a new car purchase fit in their budget. They couldn’t even afford basic and minor repairs for their cars when they needed them because they were already way over their budget.
Was the new car worth it? Nope.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.