Our spending habits often develop unconsciously over time. They are shaped by our upbringing, advertising, social media, culture, and our friendship groups. Often times, these voices urge us to buy more.
But true financial freedom—and the path to intentional living—begins when we take conscious control of our spending habits. So it is wise to put time and effort into evaluating ours.
One of the most commonly repeated pieces of advice to regain control of our spending is to “pause before making a purchase.”
The simple act of pausing before making a purchase gives us the opportunity to evaluate the decision and make sure we’re making a wise one rather than an emotional one. Asking ourselves the right questions during this pause can help us make better spending decisions.
So I decided to sit down and brainstorm the most powerful questions we could ask ourselves to transform our relationship with consumption.
Here are 13 Powerful Questions to Transform Your Spending Habits Forever:
1. Do I really need this?
This is, of course, the most fundamental question that separates needs from wants. It’s not the only question to consider, but an honest evaluation of it can reduce virtually all unnecessary purchases.
2. Do I own something else that can serve the same purpose?
Before buying something new, take inventory of what you already have. Our homes often contain perfectly good alternatives that we’ve simply forgotten about or overlooked.
3. Am I buying this primarily because it’s on sale?
A sale is only a good deal if you needed the item in the first place. Otherwise, you’re only spaving.
4. Will I actually use it regularly?
If you are thinking about buying an item that you’ll only use once or twice, consider other alternatives like borrowing from a friend. Borrowing isn’t just economical—it can strengthen relationships (provided it is done well).
5. What else could I do with this money?
This question helps weigh the opportunity cost of any purchase—what you’re giving up by making it. In fact, I often consider this the most important question we should be asking to overcome consumerism. Our money can only be spent once and any dollar today is one dollar that can’t be invested, donated, or saved for something more meaningful.
6. Will it add value to my life or help me fulfill my purpose?
If the answer is no, it’s probably not worth it.
7. How many hours of work does this purchase equate to?
Converting price tags into work hours creates a tangible connection between your work and spending habits. This can be a powerful reframing question for both monthly discretionary spending (eating out, fast fashion) and the fixed costs we invite into our lives (home size, car loans, cell phone plan, etc.).
8. Are there ongoing costs associated with this purchase?
Consider the full cost of this purchase—especially with large purchases. If you don’t make a habit of doing so already, be sure to factor in costs associated with maintenance, repairs, storage, monthly subscriptions, etc.
9. Am I buying this for myself, or am I influenced by someone else’s opinion or desire?
Sometimes, we shop to impress or fit in—and rarely is that a wise motivation. If you are susceptible to that type of influence, take a breath and make sure you’re making this choice for you and the people you love with the right motivation.
10. Can this purchase wait?
If it’s not urgent, give it some time. You might realize you can do without it. And I can’t stress this point enough.
11. What is my emotional state?
Shopping under emotional influence (stressed, bored, sad, lonely, angry, or even overly excited) often leads to regretted purchases. Ask yourself if the right emotions are driving this spending.
12. Is this an impulse buy?
If you didn’t plan for this purchase before entering the store or visiting the website, pause and reconsider. “You don’t go to Target because you need something. You go to Target and let Target tell you what you need,” isn’t just a funny meme on the Internet. It’s an approach to life that will sabotage your financial goals. Similarly, I’ve learned there are very few people who can be content to just wander through a store and not buy something. If you don’t need to buy something, don’t enter the store.
13. What will happen if I don’t buy this?
This is one last powerfully helpful question to add to your repertoire. If the answer is “not much,” it might not be a necessary purchase.
I’m reaching the end of this article and wondering how exactly someone might apply these questions to their life on a consistent basis. It’s possible, I suppose, for you to bookmark this article and return to it the next time you’re getting ready to Click to Ship on Amazon. And to be honest, that’s not a bad idea.
But more likely, I encourage you to find 1-2 of these questions that you haven’t asked yourself before and keep that on top of your mind. The next time you are debating a purchase or realizing something desperately needs to change with your spending, specifically ask them.
And if they steer you toward positive life change, repeat them over and over.
I’ve started asking myself “How will I get rid of this item when I’m done with it?” It can be painful to think about something languishing in a landfill. It takes time to sell things, or find someone who wants a hand-me-down, or bag items up to take to a thrift store. If I don’t buy it, I won’t have to get rid of it!
LOVE the “did I plan this?” That’s part of impulse buying. I’m learning!!! ♥️
I’ve fallen into browsing late in the evening and have spent a lot on things “ I’d like “ rather than what I need
Thank you for this timely reminder, I can only wear one T-shirt at a time and I now have 10 albeit most with Christian words on them, but even so 2 was all I needed !!!
I’m now waiting and only click to pay 24 hours later and 9 times out of 10 I delete instead, so thank you for the article
I always use 10. Can this purchase wait. And after a while I forget about buying it.
The wait one is a fav of mine. If I think I need or want something I’ll wait to purchase. A few days later and then a week or whatever and the want and need passes. Love the other things on the list too but the waiting one is my go to
Don’t buy – if you are trained to buy all the time, it needs practice to undo the conditioning.
I started with a no-buy-year because my husband went on a sabbatical.
Yes, your questions help. But it becomes really easy, when you just block “buying”.
It’s like getting off a drug.
Rather face it.
Tremble for some weeks.
Astonishingly, you will survive.
And finally, you will find peace with the situation.
We are on minimalism. But as long, as there are still things coming in, it is hard to see an end. All our homes are flooded with stuff. It really takes some time to reduce the clutter. But as long as you still buy “some stuff”, it feels like sitting in a boat with a hole where water pours in all the time. Poor you! Trying with a bucket to save your life.
Completely agree; cold turkey no-buy is the key. Your post remu do me of the old adage: ‘If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging’.
I use to love to buy magazines. My Mother told me not to waste my money as I would throw those magazines away. She was right and I never forgot this lesson.
The “what else could I spend this money on” is a really good one to stop those little spends that add up to big ones. Eg I’ve been thinking of flying to England and plan to pay for an upgraded seat. If I curb little expenditures, I’ll be able to travel in comfort and style. Lol And that’s worth more than magazines, candles and toss cushions.
In addition to the idea of just having less making your life feel psychologically clearer, your home looking clearer, something that brought my attention was the cost per square foot of your home.
Ask yourself is this thing is really paying the rent?…before and after you bring it home. Why should something get free reign in your space, your income-generation, and your life?
I love this idea, it’s paying rent in your home. Brilliant! And thank you Josh for another excellent article. This has been my no buy year. I’ve always considered myself a minimalist but am really being more mindful and present when it comes to consuming. One gift I learned from my mother was to practice being content. She used to always say “I’m content”. I think just repeating that as a mantra helps curb consumption. Thank you and God Bless.
Beyond love and health, the most precious thing we have is time. Which is why number 7, “How many hours of work does this purchase equate to,” resonates. Most people trade time for money. Thus, if you’re shackled to a huge mortgage, car payments, and other debts, then you will be shackled to work. Precious time that could be spent with loved ones, in the great outdoors, and pursuing passions plays second fiddle to longer work hours to pay for stuff. It’s a kind of prison.
One important question for me is: where will I store it and is the storage space empty?
I learned a good lesson from my dad many years ago. He and my mom went to a big box discount store to get their inexpensive geraniums. They loaded them in the shopping cart and went inside the store. While there, they added some items that were on sale or things they “needed.”
The checkout lines were long and slow, and my dad decided it wasn’t worth his time to wait. He said they could get the geraniums somewhere else.
My dad told me later that he could not remember anything that was in the cart that they abandoned, other than the geraniums they had originally shopped for.
It taught me to walk away from impulse buying. If I’m still thinking about 24 hours later, I can always go back.
“You don’t go to Target because you need something. You go to Target and let Target tell you what you need,”
I hadn’t heard of this before but it is brilliant in addition to being funny. Also, its pinpoint accuracy is a bit scary.