Resources
Can I Afford This?
A free 20-second gut-check: run any purchase through four honest questions and get a clear 'buy it' or 'not yet.'
Big purchase on your mind? Run it through the four questions from the lesson. Answer honestly and you'll get a clear Buy it or Not yet. With the reason why.
Common questions
How do I know if I can really afford something?Three honest checks: Can you pay in full right now without borrowing? After paying, are your needs for the month still covered? And will you still save something this month? If all three are yes, it’s genuinely affordable. If any is no, it’s a “not yet.”
Should I buy it now or wait?If you can’t pay in full without a card or loan, waiting almost always wins. Paying it off over time means paying more than the price on the tag. Wait until you can cover it in full, and it costs exactly what it says.
What does “affordable” actually mean?Affordable means you can pay for it in full, your essentials are still covered, and you’re still putting something toward savings. A price you can swipe is not the same as a price you can afford.