When I asked my Mom to take me to SuperCuts as a kid she always made me wait two weeks.
“If you still want your hair cut then, I’ll take you,” she would say. It was her way of testing how badly I wanted my locks lopped off. If it was a passing whim, I would forget about it.
But if I persisted she would walk me downtown, shell out $12, and watch as a newbie cutter went at my thick brown hair.
Now I realize how smart my Mom is.
If you really need to buy something, you will still need to buy it in two weeks (I have a hole in my shoe -> I need new shoes). If your desire is emotional, it will pass. (I love these boots -> I want them).
Having a set waiting period before you buy will save you money by separating needs v. wants. Which brings me to this question.
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January 13th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
In addition to letting you determine separating needs from wants, letting your purchases wait a few weeks also gives you time to plan, save up for and budget around that potential splurge.
Pulling from an example from my interests (food / dining out) — I know I will spend around $150 for meals in the upcoming DineLA restaurant weeks in late Jan and early Feb, but I am planning ahead by prioritizing which places I really want to check out, and pretty much laying low and not touching my dine out budget in the meantime.
January 25th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
What you left out, was the required research before purchase. We waited 4 weeks before buying a TV, til the prices came down after Xmas. I never buy anything unless it’s on special, have a rebate, or a coupon. God’s blessings occas. provide all three.