We’ve all been there. Our favorite brand drops a new design, or the influencer we follow swears by a new kitchen appliance. We get caught up in the excitement, so we tap or hit the “Buy Now” button. But then, a week after the delivery, the thrill fades. The new phone feels like every other phone we’ve owned. The new blender doesn’t match the aesthetic of the counter, so it’s kept in its box.
That sinking feeling is buyer’s remorse. It creeps in when we buy before we think. And while it happens to everyone, it doesn’t have to be the norm. With these five simple yet powerful questions, you can turn every major purchase into an intentional decision that brings satisfaction instead of regret.
1. Can I Really Afford It?
Affordability isn’t just about having enough in your account to cover the expense. It’s also about making sure the purchase fits into your budget without strain. Start by checking your essentials. Are your monthly obligations like rent, utilities, groceries, and insurance comfortably covered? If so, you’re on solid ground.
However, if you realize you can’t fully afford your planned big purchase, that doesn’t mean it’s completely out of reach. Sometimes, affordability is less about saying no and more about finding a smarter way to say yes. For instance, with a Maya credit card promo, you might be able to get a discount or a good deal on the big purchase you’re planning to make. Or you could shop during a big sale or even take advantage of a merchant’s buy now, pay later promo. Beyond benefitting from credit card promos, using your credit card also provides a useful grace period (typically a few weeks) between the purchase date and the bill’s due date. This gives your cash flow some breathing room and makes the big purchase a little easier to manage within your budget cycle. Studying such options can make it easier for you to manage the cost of a big purchase.
Once you’re already confident about proceeding with a major purchase, it also pays to use a credit card with cashback rewards, such as the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, which gives you up to 5% cashback at Landers, 2% on dining spends, and 1% on all other qualified transactions.* Earning cashback by using this card lets you get something back from a purchase you’re already going to make, allowing you to accumulate points that you can use as discounts when you buy groceries and household essentials later. This card, after all, is designed for Landers members and frequent shoppers at the superstore.
When you shop at Landers, you’ll start with a base cashback rate of 3% if your total credit card spending is below PHP 20,000. This rate increases to 4% when you spend a minimum of PHP 20,000, wherever you use your card, and then it increases further to 5% when you accumulate a total qualified credit card spending of at least PHP 50,000 during the month. This PHP 50,000 doesn’t have to be spent at Landers either; it can be spent elsewhere.
2. What’s the True Cost?
Every purchase has ripple effects that go beyond money. Take a car, for example. Owning one means regular fuel stops, parking fees, insurance renewals, and maintenance schedules. Similarly, something as small as a coffeemaker adds to your household's electricity and water bill, and requires effort to clean as well as storage space.
So, ask yourself: do I have the time and capacity to take care of this new responsibility? If it ends up demanding more than it gives, then its true cost is far higher than the price on the receipt. On the other hand, some purchases, like a reliable washing machine, free up time and energy. Therefore, evaluating the real cost is about weighing what the item will give back versus what it will take away.
3. Have I Done My Homework?
Once the costs are clear, the next step is research. Compare prices across different retailers, both online and offline. Then, read reviews from people who’ve used the product. Also, pay attention to details like return policies, warranty coverage, and service availability.
In addition, consider alternatives. For example, check out secondhand marketplaces. Sometimes, a lightly used version of what you want can be half the price with nearly the same value. On the flip side, beware of counterfeits. Cheap imitations can cost you more in the long run, especially when they break early or if the manufacturer or seller can’t offer post-purchase support if something goes wrong with it.
4. Is Now the Right Time?
Buying at the right time can save you thousands of pesos, and solid research will help you determine the right timing. For instance, retailers often slash prices during end-of-season clearances, holiday sales, or anniversary promos. Meanwhile, appliances are usually cheaper when new models are about to be released. Even airline tickets follow a rhythm depending on seasonal demand.
Moreover, if the purchase isn’t urgent, put the item on a wishlist and revisit it later. Sometimes, just giving yourself a week or two can reduce impulse and increase clarity. Furthermore, if you know a credit card promo is coming up, it may be smarter to hold off and use it strategically.
5. Is This a Need, a Want, or a “Boredom Buy”?
Our culture is full of pressure to upgrade—the latest phone, the freshest sneakers, the sleekest appliances. So, be honest, is this something you truly need, something you deeply want, or something you’re buying because you’re bored, stressed, or giving in to peer pressure?
Often, the urge to purchase is strongest when we’re restless or unsatisfied in other parts of our lives. Shopping becomes a quick mood booster, but it rarely solves the deeper issue. Therefore, by digging deep, you will discover what’s really driving you to buy. If you find out that your motivation is to impress others, keep up appearances, or project status, the satisfaction will likely be short-lived. Stuff, after all, has a way of losing its shine once the novelty wears off.
Conversely, if your “why” connects to your personal values—comfort, creativity, efficiency, or joy—then the purchase will likely be worth it. Maybe you’re buying a camera because you love capturing family memories, not because your friend just bought one. That kind of motivation tends to bring longer-lasting satisfaction.
Therefore, be candid with yourself. The more transparent you are about your motivations, the more likely you’ll spend on things that truly add value.
Make Every Purchase Matter
When you buy with intention, your purchases align with your goals rather than distract from them. So, the next time you’re tempted by a major purchase, ask these questions. Not to hold yourself back, but to step forward confidently, knowing your decision was deliberate and wise. And when the timing, affordability, and purpose all line up, go ahead and tap that Maya credit card with no guilt, no second-guessing, just the satisfaction of knowing you’ve bought something that will bring real value to your life.
*Transactions that don’t qualify include: cash in, cash advance, quasi cash purchases, casinos and gambling, fuel, supermarket, pharmaceuticals, utilities, telco, and government.