9 questions minimalists ask before buying anything that stop 90% of purchases

Ever walked into Target for toothpaste and walked out with $200 worth of stuff you didn't even know you wanted?

Yeah, me too.

A few years back, I found myself surrounded by things I barely used. My apartment was cluttered with gadgets, clothes with tags still on them, and books I'd never read. Each purchase had seemed essential at the time, but looking around, I realized most of it was just noise.

That's when I started exploring minimalism. Not the extreme "own only 33 items" kind, but a more practical approach that helped me think differently about what I bring into my life.

The game-changer? Learning to pause and ask myself specific questions before buying anything. These simple questions have saved me thousands of dollars and countless hours of buyer's remorse.

Today, I'm sharing the nine questions that minimalists swear by. Master these, and you'll probably walk away from 90% of the purchases you're currently considering.

1) Do I already own something that serves this purpose?

This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how often we forget what we already have.

I once bought a fancy meditation app subscription while I had three similar apps already installed. During my warehouse days, I'd spend breaks reading about Buddhism on my phone, and somehow convinced myself that each new app would magically deepen my practice.

Spoiler alert: They didn't.

Now, before buying anything, I do a quick mental inventory. Need a notebook? Check if there's one tucked away in a drawer. Thinking about new workout gear? That old t-shirt works just fine.

Often, we're not looking for new things. We're looking for new feelings or experiences, and we already have tools that can provide them.

2) Will I use this at least once a week?

Here's a reality check that stops impulse buys in their tracks.

If you won't use something weekly, it's probably not essential. Sure, there are exceptions like winter coats or camping gear, but for most purchases, this rule applies.

Think about that bread maker gathering dust in your kitchen or the guitar you were definitely going to learn. We overestimate our future motivation and underestimate how much our current routines will persist.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I explore how attachment to future versions of ourselves often leads to unnecessary accumulation.

The person who will use that expensive juicer every morning? They might never show up.

3) Am I buying this because of who I am or who I want to appear to be?

Ouch. This one stings, but it's crucial.

How many purchases are really about crafting an image? The expensive watch that screams success. The bookshelf full of classics you'll never read. The professional camera that says "I'm creative."

I've been guilty of this myself. Living as an expat taught me that home is less about accumulating status symbols and more about the practices and relationships you cultivate. Yet I still caught myself buying things to fit certain narratives about who I was.

Ask yourself: Would I still want this if no one else would ever see it? If the answer is no, your credit card stays in your wallet.

4) Can I borrow, rent, or buy this used?

Why own something you'll rarely use when you can access it when needed?

Libraries aren't just for books anymore. Many offer tools, equipment, even musical instruments. Need a drill for one project? Borrow from a neighbor. Want to try paddleboarding? Rent first.

Buying used is another game-changer. Quality furniture, books, electronics, often available for a fraction of retail price. Plus, you're keeping stuff out of landfills.

The sharing economy has made this easier than ever. There's probably an app for borrowing whatever you're thinking of buying.

5) Where will this live in my home?

If you can't immediately picture where something will go, that's a red flag.

"I'll find a place for it" usually means it'll end up in that junk drawer we all have. Or worse, it becomes part of the background clutter that slowly drains your mental energy.

Physical space reflects mental space. When your environment is cluttered, your mind follows. I've noticed this connection strongly, both physical health and mental health are inseparable. A chaotic space leads to a chaotic mind.

Before buying, visualize exactly where the item will live. If you're reshuffling everything else to make room, maybe you don't need it.

6) What else could I do with this money?

Money spent on one thing can't be spent on another. Obvious, but we forget this in the moment.

That $50 gadget could be a nice dinner out. The $200 jacket could be a weekend trip. The $30 monthly subscription could be $360 toward something meaningful by year's end.

I explore this concept of opportunity cost in Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. Every choice involves sacrifice, and being mindful of what we're giving up helps us make better decisions.

Think about your actual priorities. Does this purchase align with them, or is it stealing resources from what really matters?

7) Am I buying this because I'm emotional right now?

Retail therapy is real, and marketers know it.

Stressed? Buy something. Sad? Buy something. Bored? Definitely buy something. Even happiness can trigger unnecessary purchases, like celebrating with shopping sprees.

I've learned to recognize my emotional buying patterns. After tough days, I'd browse online stores, cart full of things I didn't need. The temporary dopamine hit never solved the underlying feeling.

Now I have a rule: If I'm feeling strongly about anything, I wait 48 hours before purchasing. Usually, the urge passes along with the emotion.

8) How many hours of work does this cost?

This reframe changes everything.

Calculate your actual hourly wage after taxes. That $100 item? Maybe that's eight hours of your life. Half a day's work for something you might use twice.

During my warehouse years, this perspective hit hard. Every purchase represented real sweat and time. It made me value both my labor and my purchases differently.

When you see prices as hours of your life, unnecessary purchases become much less appealing. Your time is finite. Spend it wisely.

9) Will I still want this in a month?

The 30-day rule is minimalism gold.

Write down anything you want to buy and wait a month. If you still want it after 30 days, consider buying it. But here's what usually happens: You forget about most of it.

I keep a running list in my phone. Looking back at old entries is hilarious. Things that seemed urgent and essential? Can't even remember why I wanted them.

This pause breaks the impulse cycle. It separates genuine needs from fleeting wants triggered by clever marketing or temporary circumstances.

Final words

These nine questions aren't about deprivation or living with nothing. They're about being intentional with what you allow into your life.

After years of practicing these questions, my relationship with stuff has completely transformed. My space is clearer, my mind is calmer, and ironically, I feel like I have more, not less.

The best part? The money and mental energy saved from avoiding unnecessary purchases gets redirected toward experiences and things that genuinely matter. Travel, learning, time with people I care about.

Start with just one or two questions that resonate with you. Write them on a sticky note for your wallet. Set them as your phone wallpaper. Whatever works.

Because at the end of the day, minimalism isn't about owning less for the sake of it. It's about making room for more of what makes life meaningful. And that starts with asking better questions before we buy.