Controlling Expenditures

This is one of those things that is so hard to do because we always feel the need to buy things. Well what can we do to stop or slow the spending down. Well first have you ever looked at how much you have actually spent per month on certain things? I actually didn't start looking at the numbers until I started using Quicken. Up until then I had no idea what I was spending on things like food, gas, and school. I still was able to budget myself and rationally think through things to see if I really needed to buy this.

Here is what I do in my head before deciding on a purchase...

1. Do I need it?
   
2. Do I want it? (Silly question but I do ask myself...I have said no.)
3. Can I substitute it for something else? (Do you really need another purse?)
   
4. Is it going to last? (Will spending the extra $5 be worth it if it doesn't break?)
   
5. In a year will it still be the best out there? (Will they come out with a new design?)
   
6. Do I already have it? (I have done this way to often.)
   
7. Can I borrow it from someone else? (Do I need a truck when I can borrow my dads?)
   
8. Can I get it cheaper? (Yes...yes you can.)
   
9. Is it going to go on sale the day after I buy it? (Probably...just come with a coupon though)
   
10. Is it going to be outdated in a few months? (Can you wait a few months to buy that new piece of technology?)
11. Is your old one broken? (If its not wait until it is.)
    
12. Is it really worth my money? (Can you really justify spending $100 on a pair of pants?)