One question to improve your money habits

✅ Today’s tip: Before buying something on a whim, ask what your future self would find annoying about owning it.

For all those who’ve been making a few too many pandemic impulse purchases lately [immediately hides new waffle maker, temperature-control mug, and inflatable jacuzzi], Sadie Lee offers a series of 19 questions to ask yourself the next time you’re about to click “add to cart.” One that’s particularly helpful: “What negative emotions might come with owning this item?”

Dry-clean-only garments, for example, might be a headache to care for. Plants need watering. A light-colored rug will show all the dirt that’s tracked over it. “Think about the whole life of an item,” Lee writes. “Not just the moment when it’s shiny and new.”

📚 More from Forge on spending more mindfully:

It Took a Global Pandemic to Change My Spending Habits
Read more >>

How to Buy Happiness
Read more >>

Money Can Make You Happy, If You Change the Way You Think About It
Read more >>

The Forge Daily Tip is sent every morning via email. ☀️ Subscribe to The Forge Daily Tip here.

You’re subscribed to receive emails from Forge. You can adjust your settings via the link at the bottom of this email.