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If you’re in debt, how do you approach your purchases?
The $60 Dinosaur
I bought a $60 dinosaur the other day. It’s a dop a** dinosaur, too.
I had considered the purchase for a few weeks and then forgot about it – as I do for most purchases.
Even when I still think of the item after my waiting period, I frequently end up not buying the purchase.
However, when I returned to the same store, I saw it again and was like,
“This is fate! Let’s get it!”
And this is the same approach many people with considerable debt apply to their purchases, which keeps them in debt.
We Buy Things Even Though Our Guts Tell Us Not To
I’m going to pick on one of my friends who recently bought several pairs of earrings for hundreds of dollars, and while they were making the purchase, I asked a very straightforward question right in front of the store owner…
“What the f*ck are you doing?”
We both knew they could use that money elsewhere.
But how often have you done the same?
You see something you really like, and you feel like it’s the last one of that particular item you see, so you force the purchase and try to make it work.
You look at your bank account, think about your bills, and run the numbers in your head…all for something completely unnecessary.
Learn how to walk away – even from the most enticing purchases. If you learn this soon enough, you will be able to make those purchases you’ve been walking away from, and you’ll look back on these days with pleasure.
Never force a purchase.
Forcing purchases will keep you in debt.
Did I Think Through The Dinosaur Purchase?
Here’s my rule for “silly” purchases:
Think through the purchase for at least 3–7 days; if I decide it’s worth it and not going to hurt me financially, then I go for it.
Sometimes thinking through a purchase ends up taking years to finalize my decision. My sibling will confirm this, but it’s not the worst problem; it helps me stay financially disciplined.
Back To The $60 Dinosaur
Before I took that dinosaur to the register, I walked around the store to think about the purchase one more time, and I took that dinosaur home.
No shame.
“I earned that sh*t (another common lie people with considerable debt tell themselves).” Let go of this belief until you’re out of debt.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.