Do you put your money where your mouth is?
To put it another way, are you intentional about how and where you spend your money? It’s not as easy as it sounds.
Are you aware of these forces that influence your spending?
Corporations and advertising professionals spend big bucks studying human behavior so they can trick consumers into spending money on their products. If you think you’re immune, you’re wrong. You and I are being subtly manipulated every time we step into a store, every time we see or hear an ad, and every time we watch a video or movie.
Advertisers and the media want you to to believe the following:
- Happiness can be purchased.
- Emulating celebrities, the popular, and powerful will make us better people.
- We can fill the void in our souls with stuff or activities.
- Our self-worth is based on how we look and what we own.
These 7 questions will help you become a more intentional consumer
Asking one or more of these questions will help you clarify your purchasing choices so you can spend your money in accordance with your values not some corporation’s bottom line.
- Does it spark joy? I know the phrase has become cliche, but that doesn’t mean it’s not useful. I personally find it helpful, especially when shopping for clothes. It helps me avoid purchases that are only so-so.
- Would I buy this if it wasn’t on sale? We all love a bargain, but somehow lower prices give us permission to lower our standards on what is worth buying. If we’re willing to pay full price then it’s probably something that truly fits with our priorities.
- How often will I need or use this? The right tool for the right task is important, but sometimes it pays to rent or borrow rather than purchase something you will rarely use. Think twice before purchasing an item you only have a single use for.
- Will I still be happy I bought this a month from now? There are tons of cool gadgets we’d love to own, but will we get out money’s worth out of them or will they collect dust on a shelf once the novelty is worn off? The intentional consumer invests her money on experiences and hobbies that fill her soul not the latest shiny trend.
- How much of this do I actually need? Since the TP crisis hit, I’m learning to be more aware of how long it takes to use things up. I don’t want to run out of key items, but I don’t need a three-year supply either. I want to be an intelligent and responsible consumer, not someone who hoards out of panic or foolishly buys way too much.
- Is this purchase authentic or am I trying to impress someone? We are all tempted to purchase things because someone we admire has one, or because we wish we were the sort of person who would use or wear it. The more we know and respect our personal taste and interests, the less we’re tempted to buy stuff only the fake version of us wants.
- Do I absolutely have to buy this today? Sometimes we don’t find what we were looking for, which can to frustration and the purchase of second-rate items because they were the best we could find. A better choice is to buy nothing until we find the item we truly need. If we’re not stuck in one of those panicked I-need-new-shoes-for-the-concert-tomorrow kind of moment, why not opt to save our money until we find what we really need?
Two additional tips to be a savvier consumer
Don’t shop when you’re vulnerable. If you shop for groceries when you’re hungry, what happens? You usually come home with treats that weren’t on the list. The same kinds of bad decision-making occur when you’re tired, upset, or rushed. If you hope to make wise buying choices, you should do your best to shop when you aren’t are emotionally, mentally, or physically depleted.
Consider quality as well as price. The cheapest option is not necessarily the best purchase in the long run. Inexpensive items are often cheap quality, and they won’t hold up. On top of that you might want to consider the ethical and environmental implications of buying
Consuming wisely means more money to use on things we care about. How intentional are your spending habits? How can you make more intentional choices this week?
