10/23/2026
Imagine a friend calls you one morning and says, “Guess what? I think I’m changing my car!”
You’re excited for her, until you remember that she was saving towards something else.
So you ask, “Wait, I thought we agreed that the car upgrade was for next year. And weren’t you trying to build your savings?”
She replies, “I know, but I saw this car yesterday, and honestly, I think it’s time for a change. I’m tired of the old one.”
Now, there’s nothing wrong with wanting a new car. The question is whether that decision fits her financial reality.
Did she plan for it? Can she comfortably afford it? Will buying it affect the other goals she has been working towards?
Or did she simply see something she wanted and decide she had to have it?
That is where the difference between intentional spending and impulse buying begins.
You might be an impulse buyer if:
1. You regularly buy things that were never part of your budget.
2. You spend more when you’re excited, stressed, bored, or trying to feel better.
3. You dip into savings to pay for something you suddenly want.
4. You often regret purchases after the excitement wears off.
5. You keep postponing important financial goals because something else always comes up.
On the other hand, living on a budget doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy your money. It means you know what your money needs to do before deciding what else you can spend it on.
You can buy the car. You can buy the shoes. You can enjoy the beautiful things you work hard for.
But your wants shouldn’t constantly sabotage your plans.
The goal isn’t to stop spending. It’s to start spending with intention.
So, let me ask you:
Are you someone who plans purchases before spending, or do you sometimes buy first and figure out the money later?
Be honest in the comments. No judgment, just better money habits.
And if you missed our post on the 48-hour rule, go back and read it. It might be the pause you need before your next purchase.
Oluwaseun Layomi Balogun | #1 Wealth & Financial Consultant