Would you prefer this cash instead?

Selena and I are both very guilty of impulse shopping. If we want it and can afford it, shouldn’t we buy it? The only real test I use for the “should we” question is whether there is room enough in our condo for it. That’s never seemed quite sufficient.

So I really like the concept of the Stranger Test as explained by a reader at FiveCentNickel:

When considering a purchase, picture a stranger offering you [the cash value of the purchase] or the item in question. Which is of greater value you? Which would you choose?

Reflecting back on our purchases at the outlets recently, Selena gained confidence that had a stranger offered her $50 she would have said, “No, thanks I really want this pair of shoes.” However, we has buyer’s remorse when we realized that had the same stranger offered us $14, we’d have taken it instead of the double-decker cupcake carrier.

What example from your recent purchases would fail the Stranger Test?