SELF magazine
It's SO easy to splurge--think about all the gorgeous handbags or exotic vacations you could buy--if you had unlimited funds, that is. But most of us don't. (Right?) So we talked to Christine Parker, a certified financial planner in La Plata, Maryland, who told us to ask ourselves these three questions before making any purchase.
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1. WHAT'S MY GOAL? Know exactly what you're saving for--leaving your job, say, or buying a car. Write it on a piece of paper, keep it in your wallet and pull it out when you falter.
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2. IS THIS IN MY BUDGET? Use an app like iSpending Deluxe ($3; itunes.com) to do a cash flow reality check before you try on and fall in love with those sweet suede booties.
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6 Moves for a Great Butt
5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin
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6 Secrets to Firing Up Your Metabolism
