Just Say No: When (And Why) To Pass Up a Good Deal

A good deal is only good under the right conditions. If you tend to get a little too trigger happy when you spot a real steal, then you need to check yourself — and these five things — to make sure it’s the best buy for you.

Do you really need this thing or are you tempted to buy it because it’s cheap? Reality check: a good deal means you’re getting the most out of your money; shelling out for something you just don’t need is achieving exactly the opposite.

Even if you DO need this thing, if this brand or model is not one you’d buy anyway then you won’t be happy in the long run. Don’t make compromises to save a few bucks.

Be wary of too-good-to-be-true prices that seem sketchy or items that don’t match up with the specs of other retailers. Did you have some luck or did that thing fall off the back of a truck? You’ll never know.

Maybe it’s a rebate that makes it such a good deal. Are you really going to mail that thing in and follow up in eight weeks to make sure you’ve gotten your money back? Maybe you found a cheap price online but shipping will cost you big bucks. Where’s good deal in that?

Black Friday deals, we’re looking at you. Sure, you get a good deal but at what price to your sanity? Consider all the costs associated with a purchase. If you’re willing to spend the time and energy it’ll take to get that item then go for it, but make sure to account for those factors ahead of time.