You see something at the store/online that you want really badly and then check out the price. You cringe a little and it causes you to hesitate on clicking "order." What do you usually do next? Do you decide to just wait until a better deal comes along? Do you buy it anyway?
How do you justify expensive purchases?
- Thread starter Corrie
- Start date
Depends. When I had a job I would still buy expensive things cause I earned that money and I could spend it. Every paycheck I divided up my money so I always had more than enough to pay my bills.
Some stores I knew would have coupons or sales, so if I knew that product would still be there then I would wait for an inevitable sale or just use the coupon.
Now that I've been out of a job, I don't buy expensive or even alot of things anymore, I only buy it if I reeeeallly want it and know it won't be available when I get a job (which who knows when I will) so I've kept purchasing a a very minimal.
Some stores I knew would have coupons or sales, so if I knew that product would still be there then I would wait for an inevitable sale or just use the coupon.
Now that I've been out of a job, I don't buy expensive or even alot of things anymore, I only buy it if I reeeeallly want it and know it won't be available when I get a job (which who knows when I will) so I've kept purchasing a a very minimal.
Your Local Wild Child
Matty the smarting-nosed “reindeer”
That’s exactly how I go with it. The bigger the purchase, the longer I think about it before deciding on it.
It depends. I don't impulse buy, so I will think on it and decide if it's worth it. If I have the money and feel like I will use or enjoy the product enough to justify the purchase, then I don't mind splurging on something expensive.
yeah this also, especially with clothes. but then i only buy from small-scale/handmade/ethical businesses so as for clothes. if i need like something cheaper not jeans/undies etc. then i go second hand..wish i could do that for jeans but it's ****ing impossible with my body shape lol
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Snap Crackle Pop
Senior Member
I wait and see if I still want it a few days later and if I do then I get it.
TheSillyPuppy
⚔️ Dedicate your heart and set it ablaze 🔥
For me, it depends. My income doesn't go to many things besides paying my parents rent and setting aside money for insurance + savings.
For example, I took over two weeks before finalizing my decision to make the upgrade from the Switch Lite to regular Switch console. I have over 1,100 hours playing New Horizons alone on a daily basis. It helps to consider how often you will use the product. To me, if it's something that I will use at least once per week, then I will be more inclined to be willing to invest slightly more money.
For things like clothing, I'd rather have fewer, higher quality items that can be paired with other pieces. Clothing that is made with shoddier material just ends up getting damaged, so you might end up spending the same amount -- if not more -- on buying a replacement instead of buying something of higher quality upfront.
For example, I took over two weeks before finalizing my decision to make the upgrade from the Switch Lite to regular Switch console. I have over 1,100 hours playing New Horizons alone on a daily basis. It helps to consider how often you will use the product. To me, if it's something that I will use at least once per week, then I will be more inclined to be willing to invest slightly more money.
For things like clothing, I'd rather have fewer, higher quality items that can be paired with other pieces. Clothing that is made with shoddier material just ends up getting damaged, so you might end up spending the same amount -- if not more -- on buying a replacement instead of buying something of higher quality upfront.
Sheep Villager
Feel free to call me Sheep
I typically go through a series of questions before buying:
1. Can I afford it? I try to think long-term on this too. If, for example my pet had to go to the vet would I still be able to handle it even if I bought this item?
2. Will this item make me happy AND how long will that joy last? If the item I'm buying will realistically only boost my mood for one or two days then it's not worth it.
3. How much use will this item get? Very similar to the last question. If I don't see myself using the item often then it's best to just skip buying.
4. Do I have other big purchases I plan on doing anytime soon? If I have something else big I need to buy then I can postpone buying the new expensive item.
I also like to take at least a few days to think about it just so I don't rush the purchase. I'd much rather be over cautious about buying stuff than end up in trouble because I rushed it.
1. Can I afford it? I try to think long-term on this too. If, for example my pet had to go to the vet would I still be able to handle it even if I bought this item?
2. Will this item make me happy AND how long will that joy last? If the item I'm buying will realistically only boost my mood for one or two days then it's not worth it.
3. How much use will this item get? Very similar to the last question. If I don't see myself using the item often then it's best to just skip buying.
4. Do I have other big purchases I plan on doing anytime soon? If I have something else big I need to buy then I can postpone buying the new expensive item.
I also like to take at least a few days to think about it just so I don't rush the purchase. I'd much rather be over cautious about buying stuff than end up in trouble because I rushed it.
I hate spending my money so I only get expensive things as gifts for my birthday or christmas, or because I genuinely need them (like a new mattress). With things like clothes, I tend to buy cheap stuff because it can look just as nice as the expensive stuff and I'm always concerned about not fitting into things anymore due to my (unintentional, accidental and really annoying) weight loss. But currently I have very few clothes since I'm revamping my entire room and wardrobe and I'm getting rid of nearly everything.
The only exception is gifts for other people, I'm fine with spending money on those.
The only exception is gifts for other people, I'm fine with spending money on those.
I usually always wait to see if it goes on sale, and if not then I only buy it if I’m still thinking about it a day or so later. But also I very much prefer seeing things in person before I buy them, so I usually never order things online sight-unseen that cost more than like $50. And I NEVER order from places that don’t accept returns lol
Sharksheep
Senior Member
It depends on what it is. Most of the money I have that's not for necessities like ren, bills, food goes to my savings now. I have an emergency fund and I have money set aside for investments and retirement.
I have a monthly amount for fun money that I set aside that I can spend guilt free. Most of the time I don't spend all of it each month so it adds up. I have about $300 to spend after a few months. That said I try to spend that money on stuff I would use so the cost per use is low. For example, a switch and new horizons this year.
I'm super picky with clothing now compared to when I was younger. I cleaned out my closet of barely worn clothing too many times and want to buy items that are more flexible and of higher quality. Having bold and unique pieces isn't my style so I'm ok with spending more on basic pieces. My job also doesn't have a dress code so it works for me.
I have a monthly amount for fun money that I set aside that I can spend guilt free. Most of the time I don't spend all of it each month so it adds up. I have about $300 to spend after a few months. That said I try to spend that money on stuff I would use so the cost per use is low. For example, a switch and new horizons this year.
I'm super picky with clothing now compared to when I was younger. I cleaned out my closet of barely worn clothing too many times and want to buy items that are more flexible and of higher quality. Having bold and unique pieces isn't my style so I'm ok with spending more on basic pieces. My job also doesn't have a dress code so it works for me.
If I want it, I’ll buy it. I’d rather pay $180 for an ethically made jumpsuit in LA that will last me the rest of my life than a $20 one made by slaves. I’ll buy the $250 Vitamix that I’ll never have to replace instead of a $50 blender. It’s worth it to spend more money.
I did buy a Blythe doll for $525, but I wanted that one for 10 years and it was a good deal. I just bought a spin bike too, but it’s winter now and I won’t be able to ride my regular bike for the next eight months.
I did buy a Blythe doll for $525, but I wanted that one for 10 years and it was a good deal. I just bought a spin bike too, but it’s winter now and I won’t be able to ride my regular bike for the next eight months.
I usually only buy it if I want it. I’m very wary and cautious about what I buy nowadays though. When I was younger I blew through a whole bunch of money and wasted it on some dumb MMORPG. Doing this allowed me to learn just how valuable money really is though. I don’t play MMORPGs anymore, and for the past five or so months I’ve been saving my paychecks every week with little to no spending at all. Now I have a bunch of money in the bank. 
Lady Timpani
sway
This is what I do! I'll also tend to buy it as a gift for myself-- when the ACNH Switch came out this year I thought really hard before preordering it, but in the end I was like "this is a graduation gift for this year and last year" and bought it. I also said I wouldn't buy myself anything else for the rest of the year, but, I lied lmao. None of the other stuff I've gotten was anywhere near as expensive, though.
I think if you're able to pay for all your necessities and have some money left over it's fine to splurge once in awhile.
I'm actually fairly decent when it comes to budgeting, so I never really feel too guilty about expensive purchases, because its fairly easy for me to form a plan on how to work them into the budget. That doesn't mean there are absolutely no sacrifices involved; just that they don't make me cringe as much as it might cause others.
To the contrary, it's actually the less expensive things that end up making me more anxious than anything, because it's far easier for me to pile up on a bunch of small, inexpensive items than it is for me to splurge on one, big expensive item. So for example, a new game I really want is out, so I buy it, but in doing so, it leaves me less money for the clothes I was also planning on buying. Merchandise is the biggest problem in this regard. Things like dolls are slightly harder to find a second-hand buyer for than games. They exist, make no mistake, but if I wanted to toss a game to get even a modest refund or to go towards the purchase of another game--as long as physical media still exists--there's always GameStop and the number of pawn shops and used media outlets that will happily take them off my hands. But for toys, there's really not a lot of second hand stores that aren't also charity outlets (meaning that you don't get paid for the items you bring in).
So sometimes, I'll see some of my smaller purchases, and think "oh god, I didn't need this at all" or "I wish I had invested in something better instead of tossing it all at this useless garbage!" I usually try to ask myself these questions before buying anything that isn't a necessity-
I know this probably doesn't answer your question at all, but I thought it might be of some help to somebody.
To the contrary, it's actually the less expensive things that end up making me more anxious than anything, because it's far easier for me to pile up on a bunch of small, inexpensive items than it is for me to splurge on one, big expensive item. So for example, a new game I really want is out, so I buy it, but in doing so, it leaves me less money for the clothes I was also planning on buying. Merchandise is the biggest problem in this regard. Things like dolls are slightly harder to find a second-hand buyer for than games. They exist, make no mistake, but if I wanted to toss a game to get even a modest refund or to go towards the purchase of another game--as long as physical media still exists--there's always GameStop and the number of pawn shops and used media outlets that will happily take them off my hands. But for toys, there's really not a lot of second hand stores that aren't also charity outlets (meaning that you don't get paid for the items you bring in).
So sometimes, I'll see some of my smaller purchases, and think "oh god, I didn't need this at all" or "I wish I had invested in something better instead of tossing it all at this useless garbage!" I usually try to ask myself these questions before buying anything that isn't a necessity-
- Is the price being proposed fair? If it is, then great. If not, seek out other buying methods. Consider if you really need it new and pristine or if you'd be happy with a second hand edition. I find most media (games, books, CD's, etc.) to be fine second-hand.
- Am I buying this because I really like it or because I like the brand? This is a distinction that may seem obvious, but if you've found yourself collecting a ton of series-specific merchandise, you might know what I mean. As an example, say you're really into Animal Crossing and you come across a figure. And you buy it, because you like Animal Crossing. Nevermind that it's not a character you're into normally, nevermind that it clashes with everything else in your house. I've seen this a lot with adult fans of mediia normally intended for children, where there's a ton of merchandise that is relatively cheap and easy to grab, and there becomes a sort of "the more the merrier" mentality when it comes to collecting, which is fine in the moment, but later down the road when the intensity of your fandom dies down a bit and your interests start to diversify, you find yourself wanting to part with at least half of it.
- Will I get a lot of use out of this item? Pretty standard question, also self explanatory.
- Can this item be displayed in a way that is appealing to me? Now suppose for the previous question, I answer "I will use this everyday," but then in six months, it ends up collecting dust anyway. I think we've all had this happen; where we tell ourselves that this is an essential purchase that will be put to good use, but then ultimately doesn't. I don't use my Switch as often as I should, to be honest. But if I'm not going to use it, then does it at least look good on my TV stand? It does, so I don't really plan on parting with my Switch anytime soon. Plus it's expensive, and I know that I will occassionally pick it up again, so it would be silly to sell it. But I had a whole plethora of GameCube games that nobody in my house ever played--they were kind of trash games; some really poorly-made shooter games, and a few Mario Party knock-offs--and I felt kind of bad when I got rid of them, but it was important to do so not only because they weren't being used, but a) they weren't games anybody liked, and b) they weren't games that looked good in my collection in the first place. By contrast, I don't play Super Smash Bros. Melee as often as I used too, either, but it's not like I'm going to get rid of a game that I've spent an insane amount of hours in and also has multiple of my favorite characters right on the box.
- How much do you really want it? Is there something you want more? Simply compare how much I want this to how much more something else might give me.
- Is there something you're willing to part with in order to balance this purchase out a little? This isn't applicable for every item, ut you might be able to relieve a bit of a burden off yourself if you end up selling off some things that you don't need to make the purchase less of a sting. Mostly applies to books and games, where there are a plethora of places to drop them off and sell with no hassle.
I know this probably doesn't answer your question at all, but I thought it might be of some help to somebody.
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