while shopping, ask yourself:

• do I really need this? differentiate between wants and needs.
• do I own something else that can serve the same purpose?
• am I buying this primarily because it's on sale? a bargain is only a good deal if you needed the item in the first place.
• will I actually use it regularly?
• can I borrow this instead of buying it?
• what else can I do with this money?
• am I buying this for myself, or am I influenced by someone else's opinion or desire?
• can this purchase wait? if it's not urgent, give it some time. you might realize you can do without it.
• what is my emotional state? am I stressed, bored, or unhappy?
• is this an impulse buy?