Living Within Your Means: Make calculations

( Forum Credit Union )

Before making a financial decision, use calculations to determine if it is a smart purchase. For example, many people claim they are buying a new vehicle to save on gas money. Calculate the new car payment plus the estimated cost of gas. If the combined total is not lower than your current payment plus gas, it is not a good financial decision (this is not factoring in your environmental concerns, and if those are important to you, you'll have to weigh that in).