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When making big or even small purchase decisions you should always use a “should you buy it” flowchart. Right now, Get Rich Slowly has an excellent version of the should you buy it flowchart (seen below) posted with all sorts of tips about how to use said flowchart and ideas that can help you be a more savvy shopper.
I have my own version of the should you buy it flowchart, but I use a basic list of questions to help me decide about purchases. Because I’m big time into green living, my flowchart actually covers some green issue too.My list is overall pretty simple. Before I buy anything – groceries, gear, toys, etc, I ask myself…
- Do I need it?
- How badly do I want it?
- Can I afford it? Really?
- Can I use something I already have?
- Can I borrow one?
- Will I use it? Really?
- Is it recyclable? OR can it be used for something else?
- Is it toxic?
- How long is it’s life span?
- Do I need it?
You may have noticed that I question 1 and 10 are the same. It’s the most important question IMO so I ask it twice. It looks silly, but it really helps if you say these out loud while at the store.
You can make your own flowchart or list of Q&A to carry around. What matters most is that you find one that works for you. At first I carried mine around on a slip of paper attached to my wallet. After about a year, it became second nature to ask myself the questions, and I was able to do this in my head.
Do you use a flowchart for purchases – and if not have you considered it?
[image via Get Rich Slowly]
You forgot the line from “Consider the purchase” to “Start”. Obviously you’re going to need a flowchart to consider it.
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