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The Minimalists The Minimalists
Emmy-nominated Netflix stars, podcasters, and New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus help millions of people live meaningfully with less. The Minimalists have been featured in TIME, GQ, ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, NPR, and they have spoken at Harvard, Apple, Google.

5 Questions to Ask Before Buying

By Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus ·

Before committing to the next purchase, ask yourself five questions:

Can I afford to part with this money? If you have to charge it to a credit card, you can’t afford it.

Can I pay the actual cost? Remember, the true cost of a thing stretches far beyond the price on the price tag.

Will it add value to my life? It must serve a purpose or bring joy; otherwise, it does not add value.

What are the alternatives? In other words, is this the best use of this money? If not, then use the money elsewhere.

Can I get by without it for a while? If so, wait. Who knows—maybe a day of contemplation will help you realize you no longer want the thing you wanted. (We call this the 30/30 Rule.)