BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM We have all heard the advice: buy what you need, not what you want. In theory, it is simple. In practice, especially when money feels tight or emotions are running high, it can be surprisingly difficult. The truth is, spending on something you want is not inherently wrong. The key is intention. As Aja Evans, a licensed mental health counsellor and financial therapist, explains, mindful spending starts with awareness. That means pausing to consider your budget, the occasion, and even your emotional state. “What’s going on with me emotionally? Am I just buying this because I am upset? Am I buying this because I have this dream that this is gonna solve all my problems?” she says. Before you click “add to cart,” here are six questions Evans and Consumer Reports reporter Brian Vines suggest asking yourself. If the answer is “yes” to any of them, it may be worth taking a breath and reconsidering. Is your cash flow already stretched? If purchasing something means dipping into money reserved for essentials like housing, groceries, transportation, or credit card payments, that is a crystal clear sign to hold off, Evans says. The same goes for pulling from your emergency fund or savings set aside for a specific goal like a vacation. Instead, build flexibility into your budget. Create a realistic line item for fun purchases so you do not feel deprived. “If you deprive yourself too much, you will not stick to it,” Evans says. A small, planned allowance for treats can help prevent bigger, regret-driven splurges later. Are you trying to soothe a feeling? Impulse spending often masks something else. Evans suggests using the acronym HALT, a tool developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, to check in with yourself. Are you hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? If one of those basic needs is driving the urge to spend, address that first. Maybe what you need is a snack at home, a walk outside, or a call with a friend. A purchase may offer a quick dopamine hit, but it rarely resolves the underlying emotion. Is this becoming a pattern? A single indulgence is one thing. A recurring habit is another. If you find yourself regularly browsing estate sales, antique stores, or online marketplaces “just to look,” what you might actually need to take a closer look at is the bigger picture. “If every weekend you’re going to different antique stores to search, peel back a layer and ask what’s going on,” Evans says. “How often are you shopping in this kind of way?” Sometimes the thrill is not about the object itself, but the excitement of the hunt. Simply recognizing that pattern can be enough to break it. Are you buying it to impress someone? New gadgets, designer labels, and luxury upgrades often come with an unspoken promise of status. But it is worth examining whether that promise matters more than the product. “Maybe you want people to look at you a certain way, and having this item may signify something [important],” Evans says. If that resonates, consider what the purchase represents to you. Is it about confidence? Belonging? Approval? As Evans puts it, reflecting on why you care so much about what others think is “where the juicy stuff starts to happen.” That self-awareness can be more valuable than any item. Have you done your research? If you have decided the purchase is necessary, slow down and compare options. Read reviews. Check prices. Look beyond brand reputation. “Price does not guarantee performance,” Vines says. A higher price tag does not automatically mean better quality, and the cheapest option is not always the smartest investment either. In some cases, saving up for a more durable product will cost less in the long run. Vines also recommends tapping into your network. “Call your rich aunt who buys all the things you’re interested in having and see if she actually likes it,” he says. “Call the person you know who is the most cost-conscious and ask them questions.” Honest feedback can prevent buyer’s remorse. Are you settling for something you do not really want? Sometimes the issue is not overspending, but compromise. Imagine you are craving a doughnut, but the bakery has sold out. Should you grab a muffin instead? For Vines, the answer is clear. “I’m not going to take a muffin or half a pie or a slice of tiramisu when I want one doughnut,” he says. “If it’s not what you want, walk away.” Settling for a substitute can lead to spending more while still not feeling satisfied. Waiting for the right purchase can be the more rewarding choice. Long story short: pause, then proceed Mindful spending is less about strict rules and more about thoughtful pauses. Checking your budget, your emotions, your motivations, and your research can transform a reactive purchase into an intentional one. Buying something you truly value, that fits your finances and your goals, can feel good. But if your answers reveal stress, impulse, or pressure from outside expectations, giving yourself permission to wait may be the most empowering decision of all.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post Before you buy: 6 smart questions to avoid impulse spending first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.