Everyday we are bombarded by advertising enticing us to purchase the latest and greatest. Not only are we encouraged to spend, spend, spend, but it is so easy to make a purchase, just use your credit card!
Before you add any item to your virtual or physical shopping cart, ask yourself the following questions. If you can work your way through the list without flinching, you’re well on your way to making a smart purchase.
- Do I need it?
- Does it do what I need it to do?
- Can I fix it myself?
- Can I wash it in my washing machine or does it require professional care?
- Does it take up a lot of space, or can it be folded, deflated, or collapsed? Can it be used more than one way?
- Is it safe for my family, my neighbors and all the people that helped make it?
- Does making it, or using it, use up a lot of endangered materials such as petroleum, natural gas or ancient trees?
- Does it improve with age? Or does it have a short life span?
- After it’s useful life, can it be repurposed or reconstituted into something else?
- Does it make me happy for reasons I can or can’t describe?
What questions do you ask yourself before you make a purchase?
Linked to: WordlessWednesday, PennyPinchingParty, WFMW, FabulouslyFrugalThursday, ThinkTankThursday, FridayFlashBlog
Nancy on the Home Front 