Money Influencer Chloe Elise: 7 Questions To Ask Before Buying or Keeping an Item

DeanDrobot / Getty Images

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

In a video posted to her TikTok, money influencer Chloe Elise explained how saves money by deciding whether to buy or keep clothing items. As she tried on a few Abercrombie tops, she ran through the seven questions she always asks herself.

These questions help Elise decide whether a clothing item is worth ordering and worth keeping after it arrives. The same money-saving tactic can apply to any purchase you make, big or small. Let’s run through the concepts behind these seven questions to see how they can influence all kinds of purchases, helping you avoid impulse buys and save money.

Questions To Ask Before Purchasing

Taking a moment to stop and think before making a purchase is not exactly revolutionary budgeting advice. However, it’s something many people struggle with — particularly younger shoppers. Around 41% of Gen Zers and 34% of millennials are impulse buyers, according to ScienceDirect. The convenience of online shopping, combined with targeted advertising through social media, makes it all too easy to purchase anything at the press of a button. 

The questions Elise listed apply specifically to clothing. However, we can break those questions down into their basic concepts for universal use. 

Here are three things to ask yourself before you click “check out” on your next potential impulse buy.

Am I in a Neutral State?

Research shows that your cognitive and emotional state can impact how you shop, according to ScienceDirect. You may be more likely to make an unnecessary purchase when you’re feeling sad, lonely, bored or overly excited. Check in with yourself to make sure you’re in a neutral state before you put that item in your cart.

Is This Item a Good Fit?

Elise phrased this question as “in alignment,” but we can expand on her meaning by asking if the item is a good fit. That doesn’t just mean the item physically fits you — ask yourself if it’s a good fit for your lifestyle, home, family and budget. If it doesn’t feel quite right, now may not be the right time to buy it.

Is the Price Worth It?

Take a moment to consider the item’s price. Will you get enough use out of the item to make that price worth it? It can help to read product reviews at this stage. Find out if other customers are satisfied with the item’s quality for the price or if you could get a better deal from another brand.

Questions To Ask After Purchasing

Even after careful consideration, you may end up second-guessing a purchase once it arrives on your doorstep. That’s why returns exist.

Before you rip the tags off your new item, ask yourself these questions.

Is It Still a Good Fit?

If your new purchase is a piece of clothing, try it on. If it’s furniture, see how it looks in your home. Consider how you feel — is this item still a good fit for your life? 

You can take a rational approach to this question by doing the following:

• Leaving the room for a while, then coming back to look at it
• Asking other members of your household what they think
• Comparing it to other items in your closet, kitchen or toolshed to make sure it’s not redundant

Do I Have a Specific Use for It?

Elise asked herself if she has a specific outfit to wear with her new clothing item. For non-clothing purchases, ask yourself if you have a specific use for it. Do you know exactly how and when you’ll use this item? If it’s just going to sit in your home and look pretty, it might not be worth keeping.

How Often Will I Use It?

In terms of clothing, having a specific place to wear the item — perhaps at work or at a dinner party — will tell you how often you’ll use it. Ask yourself the same question for other purchases. In how many scenarios do you see yourself using the new item? Is it something you’ll use only once or will it come in handy every day?

Do I Feel Confident?

Finally, make sure you absolutely love your new purchase. If you have any doubts about showing it off to your friends and family, using it in your everyday life or keeping it on display in your home, it may not be right for you.

Share This Article: