We live in a world filled with empty consumeristic promises.
- To get the girl, buy this cologne.
- To be the life of the party, get this television.
- To impress your friends, buy this watch.
- To turn heads, drive this car.
- To raise a better family, buy this bigger house.
These promises bombard our senses incessantly—even within the comforts of our home. And more than we realize, these messages begin to shape our conscious and subconscious thoughts.
As a result, too often, we buy stuff we don’t need. Our closets become crowded, our drawers overfill, our garages can’t fit our cars, and our homes fill with countless products we thought were a good idea at the time; but in reality, rarely get used.
Our lives soon become buried under everything we own.
To counter these empty promises, I want to offer a simple, life-transforming question—five simple words to ask before making any purchase.
The question is this: But what if I don’t?
Whenever you feel the pull of consumerism, simply ask yourself the shortened version of this thought, “What might I be able to do if I didn’t make this purchase?”
Every purchase contains an opportunity cost. The question, “But what if I don’t?”, forces us to recognize and articulate it.
For example:
If you don’t buy that large screen television, how much debt could you pay off?
If you don’t buy the bigger house, how much more money would you have to travel?
If you don’t go clothes-shopping today, how could you build up an emergency fund?
If you don’t make this purchase on Amazon, what good could you accomplish in the world with the money instead?
You know what you’ve been promised if you buy… but what if you don’t? How would your life improve if you said ‘no?’
With every purchase we make, we sacrifice a small amount of freedom. This one, simple question helps us recognize exactly what it is.
Greg Mcdonald says
I like your column
Jean says
Three valuable words to live by and they aren’t “I Love You.” They are “Save those receipts!” When common sense prevails, return those spontaneous purchases.
Kate says
I agree Jean
Hse Nuhan says
One time a year earlier we had a gift exchange and lottery. My friend has picked up a fancy wrapped package, quite large. And to be “original” i chose a grocery brown bag, thinking it would be plenty of apples and fruits in it and it was only filled with biscuits and candies.
When I open up the bag, and found the items, I yelled ” and where is the receipt” thinking about this… It is so much fun to hear myself talking :0)
Rebecca says
My family teases me that I sound like a broken record (or skipping CD). I always ask. “Where are you gonna put it?” Everything needs a home BEFORE it comes into the house.
Petina says
OMG yes, I use this with my daughter. But we are living in a tiny unit whilst our forever home is being built plus there’s so much we don’t need.
J says
I’ve lived in small houses, medium houses, and very large estate houses….and guess what…..my happiness and well being is not derived out of the size of my house or all the many Material possessions I have owned. After selling our mini compound 11 years ago, and becoming renters, Now on our second rental….we just were asked in March to move out of the rental house….yes, I know, during Covid-19. At 75, and 72, we decided to buy one more house. We don’t want to have to move again, especially with the changing times. We found a modest home, and a friend remarked we would not have enough furniture to fill it….and my response was, “Less is best and more is a chore.” I don’t need THINGS to make my life complete. Experiences with family and friends are the treasures that full fill me. I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog and writings over the past couple years. It’s helped me to let go of things that no longer serve me…..
Rach N says
Beautifully said
Jeanne says
Amen!
Robin says
Well said and exactly how I feel at age 70 and now retired…