5 questions that can save you from a bad purchase

When a pair of rain boots is on your mind, the first question to ask is not whether you can afford them, but whether you need them or just want them. That distinction, drawn by financial therapist Aja Evans, is the foundation of a six-question framework that Life Kit host Marielle Segarra presents in this episode. The framework is designed to slow down the split-second decisions that retailers exploit, helping listeners separate genuine purchases from emotional impulses, lifestyle mismatches, and marketing noise.

Needs vs. wants, and the emotional layer underneath

Evans defines needs as basics: food, shelter, transportation, healthcare, and enough clothing to survive in your environment. Everything else—a fifth black sweater, but this time with buttons—is a want. There is nothing wrong with wanting, she says, but the distinction matters for anyone with limited funds. Segarra suggests a simple budget check: subtract fixed costs and debt payments from your income, then see what remains for savings and everyday spending. If the item in question is a want, the next question is why you want it. “Is this for you? Is this for somebody else?” Evans asks. If the purchase is tied to how others perceive you, or to your self-esteem, that’s a signal to pause.