When you're about to spend a thousand or more dollars on something, how do you justify the expense? Normally, I do a bit of research on the item and wait at least a week to make sure I really want it or not. This process has helped me avoid spending my hard earned dollars on junk.
I'll only spend money on something expensive if it's really necessary that I should I get it. What better way is there to find out whether you need something than by trying to do without for a long period of time? Before I commit to buying something expensive [unless it's an appliance which broke down] is to wait a month or so. If after a month I feel I can comfortably do without whatever it was I wanted to buy then quite obviously I won't buy it.
I justify my big and excessive expenses by saying to myself, I wouldn't spend anymore for a certain amount of time like for a month or for a week. I already spent all and bought all that I need that I don't think I would still be needing anything else anymore. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. Another thing that I do is that I promise myself that I am not going to do it ever again and I would take proper measures like I would have someone buy the stuff I need. I would give him the list and the money. This one really works. But if I do it my way, it doesn't.
If I realize it was frivolous, I don't justify it. In fact, I mentally punish myself for it for a good long time. Maybe some of you will say that I'm too hard on myself. My parents certainly think so. My father especially, as he espouses the philosophy that if it made me happy then it wasn't a waste. I disagree. Medical expenses, things we need in our daily lives, things that we're actually going to use, that justifies it for me. Those are things we can pay that much for. If it's just some kind of recreational thing, however, even if it's meant to be a reward to myself, I feel really guilty if it's something like that. I keep it in mind in the hopes that I learn from my past and never do such a thing again. (Disclaimer: I do not recommend this attitude on things to others. Better to think things through before you buy and/or move on from something like that.)
I rarely buy very expensive items. But if there has to be a large outlay of money, I research it very carefully and compare prices with various companies. I also like to check out my options on-line to see if I am getting the best quality for the money that I am going to hand-over before I go to a store, as often the staff can't answer all my questions.
Easy peasy. 'Do you want this thing? Do the kids want this thing? Does Zach want this thing?' If I answer yes to any of them, then I'm picking it up. I don't recommend this for more frugal shoppers however, as I have the money to burn, and believe that as long as the thing is going to be used, and has made someone happy,it's worth it no matter the cost.
That's easy, especially in my case, since I tend to see money as something that's made to be spent anyway, so I just have to want it enough for me to be able to spend money on it, even if it's expensive.
