Treating yourself to something that makes you feel good is a form of self-care, but part of being financially responsible is making sound purchasing decisions. During a time of global uncertainty, making strategic financial decisions is more important than ever, so I’m sharing five questions to ask yourself before you buy something during the pandemic. This set of question focuses on clothing purchases, but can be easily adapted to help you assess any purchase you’re contemplating.
Do I need it?
I’ll be the first to say that this can be the hardest question to come to terms with. Do you really need the item? To effectively answer this question, contemplate your current work status, (are you an essential worker, working from home, or currently out of work?) catalogue your wardrobe, and think about similar items that you own, or holes in your wardrobe that you need to fill.
If you’re an essential worker and are constantly on your feet, it is likely worth it to invest in a solid pair of shoes that are functional, supportive, and comfortable to wear throughout a long day of work.
Think about voids in your wardrobe and what you consistently find yourself searching for when you build an outfit. Does this item help fill that void? If the answer is no, chances are that you don’t need it.
If you have similar items, this also means that you probably don’t need to buy it, and can save your money.
Realistically, how often will I wear this?
Be honest with yourself here. We all want to go back to “normal”, but it’s important to consider what your life might look like going forward. If you’re someone who will be working from home for the foreseeable future, you probably won’t be wearing heels that often. Furthermore, you probably won’t be getting dressed up to go to a bar with friends any time soon. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your clothing and get dressed up for a virtual happy hour or fun night at home, however it is important to consider the current climate and state of your life prior to making a purchase.
You may love something, but if you know you won’t really wear it because it’s outside of your comfort zone or doesn’t work with your current lifestyle, it’s probably not worth the purchase. It’s always good to push yourself and wear clothing that you love, but if you know deep down that you won’t wear it, don’t force yourself and don’t purchase something for the sake of it. If you don’t think you’ll wear the item, it will likely just sit in your closet which is a waste of space and a waste of money. Instead of making the purchase, consider taking the money that you would have used to purchase the items and set it aside in savings.
Where can I wear this?
When making a responsible purchase, think about where you can wear the item. We’re spending more time at home than ever before, and this has consequently shifted how we get dressed in the morning. I think it’s very important to make the effort and get dressed each day, however what this looks like and what you grab in the morning might look very different than what you used to grab when getting ready.
If you’re considering an item that you can’t wear regularly, consider the price and worth to you. If you can’t wear it often and it will just sit in your closet, it’s probably not that important to buy.
What can I wear this with?
When it comes to a great wardrobe, versatility is key. Think about items that you already own and how you can style the item you’re considering. Can you create a lot of outfits with it based on your current closet? Can you mix and match it with items you own, or does it clash with a lot of things?
The more ways you can style the item you’re thinking of buying, the more valuable it will be in your wardrobe. If you can think of a lot of ways to wear it or a lot of outfits to create based on your current clothing, you’ll probably get a lot of use out of it.
Do I love it?
When it comes to five questions to ask yourself before you buy something, this is definitely the most subjective and emotionally driven question. Don’t buy anything unless you love it. Part of creating a wardrobe that is versatile and works for your life is building a wardrobe of items you love. If you love the clothing that you own, you’ll be able to mix and match things easier, and you’ll feel better in what you’re wearing. Part of keeping up your mental health during a time of uncertainty is about feeling confident in your clothing, and if you only purchase items that you love, this confidence will come with less effort.
Financial responsibility is the common thread throughout these questions, but when it comes to deciding whether or not to make a purchase, it’s also important to consider how the purchase will make you feel. If you’ve been super responsible about your spending and feel like purchasing something to boost your confidence, making a conscious decision to do so might be worth your while.
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When it comes to building a wardrobe and making responsible purchases, think about these five questions to ask yourself before you buy something. If you answer these questions truthfully, they will guide you towards smart purchases that benefit you and will help create a versatile wardrobe. Happy shopping!