The Catch $22
When I’m browsing expensive stores like WalMart, I put myself on guard not to spend too much money. While drooling over a geeky techy widget, I’ll remind myself, “But can you afford this?” I think a lot of people ask themselves this. Somehow it’s supposed to keep us in check and keep us from writing too many checks.
But it’s really quite silly. The answer to “Can I afford this?” will most often be a resounding YES.
It’s extremely rare that we are faced with a purchase SO large that we absolutely can not find some way to cover the price, by means of monthly payments, credit cards, borrowing or just spending our milk money.
And here’s another angle: Just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you need it. I guarantee you can afford these items:
- Fresh water-buffalo head in an African market
- a box of secondhand toothpicks (recycling is healthy!)
- “Gary the Gallbladder’s Guide to Hiccuping” coloring book
- half of a dead cat
- the other half of a dead cat
You can afford to waste your money in a ton of ways. I think the better question is, “Do I honestly need this right now?” or if you really don’t want to spend, ask yourself ”Will this item be the defining purchase that keeps me from dying a slow and painful death?”
You’ll tell yourself NO more often.
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