BUDG039 WAIT! Before you buy that… (808 words)

In this article we explore five simple questions to help you make smarter, more intentional decisions with your hard-earned cash.

Every time you spend money, you’re making a choice about your future.

Will this purchase bring lasting value to your life, or is it just a fleeting desire? Will it move you closer to financial security, or will it set you back?

Modern marketing doesn’t want you to stop and think about these questions. Brands are masters at making you feel like you need something right now. They use scarcity tactics (“Only a few left!”), false urgency (“Sale ends at midnight!”), and social proof to create a sense of FOMO—fear of missing out. The goal? To get you to spend before you’ve had a chance to consider whether it’s truly worth it.