The ONE question you need to ask yourself before buying anything
Updated: Mar 24, 2022
When someone asks what the most dangerous disease of this modern era is, most are inclined to answer with serious biological illnesses such as cancer, AIDS or Covid-19!
I have a different opinion!
Ask this question before buying anything
The true culprit is IMPULSE BUYING, defined by the Oxford dictionary as “the buying of goods without planning to do so in advance, as a result of a sudden whim or impulse.”
In other words, spending money without asking yourself a couple of basic questions:
DO I REALLY NEED THIS? And the infamous
CAN I AFFORD IT?
Like with most diseases, once we have a firm understanding of its causes, it becomes easier to identify a cure.
Why do people “impulse buy”?
1.Public Perception – What other people think of us
The world we all live in has gone crazy on branding and consumerism! Our perception of self-worth has become intrinsically dependent on the outer cladding we have! The same applies to other people’s perception of us as successful individuals. I am not saying that we shouldn’t dress nicely, what I am saying is that there is a balance to be struck between what we can afford, and what we cannot.
2,Easy Access to credit & debt
Never in the history of the world has it been easier to obtain a credit card anr/or a loan. The availability of credit facilities (credit cards, overdrafts etc.) coupled with myriads of ads bombarding us from every angle imaginable, have fostered bad money behaviours amongst most people, and left them broke and in debt in the process.
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Whilst credit lines and accessibility to money could be a great thing, in the untrained hand, credit could lead to impulsive buying and an eternal mountain of debt, which soon spirals out of control.
Yes, such a thing does exist! Just like some people resort to excessive eating to deal with stress and anxiety, others rely on shopping to “feel good”. Shopping and buying things becomes an addiction, more than a rational act to buy items that we actually need. If you find yourself spending money on things that you don’t really need without putting much rational thinking into the purchase decision, then you need some help!
What happens if I don’t curb my impulsive buying?
There is nothing wrong with buying things you like and things that you need, as long as you do so in a PLANNED manner. Regardless of how much money you make, if you do not get your spending habits under control, you WILL MISS REAL OPPORTUNITIES to make investments and to achieve financial freedom. You will eventually find yourself unable to afford things that you REALLY NEED when you do need them.
I’ve got a problem with managing money, what can I do about it?
Don’t despair, just like how regular dieting and exercise get you back in shape, small consistent efforts to manage your money will pay huge dividends in the long run. Unlike weight and fitness, money has no grey areas – 1+1 ALWAYS equals 2, and as such, results and improvements are immediate.
Doctor Money – the smart, easy-to-use mobile application is designed to teach you how to manage your money. All you would have to do is key in your incomes, expenses and any savings targets you’ve got (or you might want to set), and it will do the rest for you.
You will never overspend again
You will be able to clear your debts
You will achieve your saving targets
You will be able to afford nice things as time progresses
You will feel confident that you’ve got matters under control
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