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Every woman knows the feeling. It’s been a week and you haven’t worn half of the outfits you bought at the last shopping spree. Even though that dress looked amazing in the dressing room (not to mention it was on sale), you realize that you don’t know when you’ll ever wear it. In the high of shopping, you couldn’t distinguish between what you wanted and what you actually needed. It’s a common problem amongst us shopaholics. The thing is, it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few simple questions to ask yourself before swiping that card.

1 Have you ever wanted a similar item in the past?

We all love those “hidden gems” we find at the mall when we least expect it. You spot something that you didn’t even know you wanted until now. It’s cool or trendy and you’re convinced you have to buy it, even if you’ve never really wanted a pair of sequined pants in the past. Ask yourself: If you haven’t wanted them before, do you really need them?

2 Do you have anywhere to wear it?

You spot the most gorgeous gown you’ve ever seen in your life. You try it on and feel like you’re about to head over to the Met Gala in the most elegant dress of all. Keep in mind that fantasizing about wearing the dress is different from actually wearing it. Don’t fill your closet with gowns and occasion-specific outfits for events you’ll never attend. Save your money for what you need, rather than what you want to need. You’ll be happier in the long run!

3 How many times do you see yourself wearing it?

The more you love an item, the more you’ll wear it. And the more times you wear it, the more worthy it is of purchasing. If you only buy things you’ll love, then eventually you’ll love your entire wardrobe. Think about how useful, timeless and appropriate each item will be.

4 Does it actually fit you?

Sometimes, you might feel inclined to buy something even though it doesn’t actually fit you. If you’ve been dying for a pair of pinstriped pants for ages, your mind might justify buying the first pair you see. They’re the perfect pattern and color! But they fit a little small. You begin to think about how much you want them and how long it took you to find this pair. Don’t trick yourself! If they don’t fit, you won’t end up wearing them. Why waste your money on an okay pair when the perfect pair could be right around the corner?

5 Are you going to be happier with it in the long run?

Of course you’ll be happy when you buy the outfit. The smile that runs across your face as you carry your bag, bursting with tissue paper, says it all. But before you toss away the receipt, ask yourself if the purchase will pay for itself in the long run. If you’d rather keep the money in your wallet and live without the item, then put away your wallet! Don’t trick yourself into thinking your false buyer’s happiness correlates to your happiness in the future.

After answering these questions, you’ll have a much better idea of whether you want or actually need an item. Once you’ve put things in perspective, you’ll be able to better decide how to spend your money, and you’ll love your home and wardrobe more in the long-run!

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