Think Through a Big Purchase
Work through whether a big purchase fits your budget and goals — total cost, affordability, and buy-now vs. wait — before you commit.
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Prompt
Help me think through a big purchase before I commit.
What I'm considering buying, and the price: {{purchase_and_price}}
How I'd pay (cash, savings, financing — and the terms if financing): {{payment_method}}
My financial picture (income, what I've got saved, other goals or debts this competes with): {{financial_context}}
Why I want it / how much I'll use it: {{motivation}}
Please help me reason it through:
- **Total cost, not just sticker price** — factor in ongoing costs (maintenance, insurance, fees, subscriptions) and, if I'm financing, what the interest adds over time using the terms I gave.
- **Affordability** — how it fits (or strains) my budget, and what it would mean for my other goals or my safety cushion.
- **Buy now vs. wait** — the case for each: the cost of waiting and saving vs. the cost and risk of financing now.
- Surface the **questions I should answer for myself** (how long I'll keep it, whether it replaces a bigger cost, whether it's a want or a need) rather than telling me what to do.
Use only my numbers, and don't invent interest rates or costs — if a figure matters and I didn't give it, ask. Lay out the trade-offs clearly and let me make the call; this is decision support, not financial advice. If key details are missing, ask first.