CAN YOU
Was it on your list? Did you go out intending to buy it?
Do you have cash to buy it instead of using a credit card?
YES
Do you own something that serves the same purpose?
YES
Do you have an immediate use for it?
Congrats! You prevented an impulse purchase and saved money!
NO You don’t truly need this item.
YES
CAN YOU
NO
Carrying a decision map with you is an effective way to help prevent overspending. Whenever you’re tempted to pull out your wallet, pull out these questions first. By adding this step to your purchasing process, you can retrain yourself to think about every purchase before you make it.
NO
BUY IT ALREADY!
YES
ASK TO BORROW IT!
NO
NO YES
DON’T BUY IT!
Enjoy your purchase, smart spender!
Can you borrow it from a friend?
COMFORTABLY
AFFORD IT?
Have you looked for sales, coupons, or generic versions?
YES NO
Could your money be better spent on meeting a need?
NO
NO
After all this, do you still want to buy it?
YES
COMPARISON SHOP BEFORE BUYING! So you know you are getting a good deal.
YES Can you put it on layaway?
YES
NO
PUT IT ON LAYAWAY!
If it’s something you really want.
GO HOME AND SAVE UP!
Do you have cash to buy it instead of using a credit card?
YES
Do you own something that serves the same purpose?
YES
Do you have an immediate use for it?
Congrats! You prevented an impulse purchase and saved money!
NO You don’t truly need this item.
YES
CAN YOU
NO
Carrying a decision map with you is an effective way to help prevent overspending. Whenever you’re tempted to pull out your wallet, pull out these questions first. By adding this step to your purchasing process, you can retrain yourself to think about every purchase before you make it.
NO
BUY IT ALREADY!
YES
ASK TO BORROW IT!
NO
NO YES
DON’T BUY IT!
Enjoy your purchase, smart spender!
Can you borrow it from a friend?
COMFORTABLY
AFFORD IT?
Have you looked for sales, coupons, or generic versions?
YES NO
Could your money be better spent on meeting a need?
NO
NO
After all this, do you still want to buy it?
YES
COMPARISON SHOP BEFORE BUYING! So you know you are getting a good deal.
YES Can you put it on layaway?
YES
NO
PUT IT ON LAYAWAY!
If it’s something you really want.
GO HOME AND SAVE UP!
