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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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.
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.