Even the most careful spenders amongst us will every now and then dust off the cobwebs and make a significant financial outlay for something. From major vehicle or home repairs to broken appliances to decorating a house. Occasionally a major purchase is a must. But before you splash the cash, take a moment to ask yourself some important questions that could help you save money and avoid unnecessary outlays. Here are the checks to make before a big financial purchase.
We love a treat, but if you do not have plenty of money in the bank, are expensive treats really a good idea? If the item is needed, that’s a different matter of course. There’s a large difference between replacing a failing fridge and upgrading your TV because you just feel like it. Assess the need.
If not, how will you purchase the item? We supply loans, but we would never recommend taking out debt for an item that is not necessary, so if you need to borrow to purchase, again assess the need. You must consider your options: If you use a credit card, can you pay it off before the interest payments accumulate? If you take advantage of one of the zero interest purchase offers, pay it off before it expires.
In some cases, you might not need to purchase the item outright. In the modern market there are so many ways to obtain an item without paying for it there and then. You can take out a finance deal and pay it off periodically, or pay by credit card, as long as you pay it off as soon as possible.
In some cases, “like new” might be just as good. For a fraction of the price. This could be a refurbished electrical item that has simply been on display in a shop, which is how i got my last mobile phone. Think of books too, which as long as the pages are intact do not need to be new. Books tend not to cost a fortune anyway!
Before making a large purchase, it’s critical that you know that you’ve shopped around: Read reviews by industry experts and actual users, search for similar products, and compare costs on sites. You’ll feel better about your purchase once you know that you’ve got the best price, the best value.
Do you have any holidays, weddings, or other costly events coming up that might be affected by this purchase? Any major bills around the corner? Any other home improvements or car costs coming up? Good planning will ensure that today’s big-ticket purchase won’t throw all your other plans into disarray.