Can You Really Afford It?

We’ve all been there—you check your bank account, see money sitting there, and think, “Yep, I can buy this.” Or maybe you see that little “pay over time” option at checkout and think, “I can totally manage that small monthly payment.”

But here’s the truth: having the money—or the credit—doesn’t always mean you can actually afford it.

Affording something isn’t just about what you can buy today—it’s about what that purchase does to your tomorrow.

The Difference Between “Having” and “Affording”

When you have the money, you can technically swipe your card and walk away with the item. But affording it means you can pay for it without hurting your financial peace, goals, or responsibilities.

• Can you still cover your bills? Rent, utilities, groceries—those non-negotiables.
  

• What about your savings goals? Retirement, emergency fund, or even that vacation you’ve been planning.
  

• Will this purchase create stress later? If you’re going to regret it when the car breaks down or when a big bill hits, that’s not affordability—that’s impulse.
  

If you’re going to regret it when the car breaks down or an unexpected bill hits, that’s not affordability—that’s impulse.

Pause before you purchase.

Does this add peace to your life, or pressure?

A Quick Example

Vacations are a big one. Maybe you don’t quite have the cash saved, but your credit card—or a “pay over time” option like Affirm—makes it easy to click book now, worry later. In that moment, it feels like you can “afford” it because the payments look small and manageable.

But here’s the reality:

• How long will it take to actually pay off that trip once the fun is over?
  

• Will the interest and fees make that $3,000 vacation end up costing $3,800 (or more)?
  

• Are you borrowing against your future peace of mind just to enjoy the moment today?
  

Let’s be real  —I’ve done this myself. I have booked vacations on a pay-over-time plan thinking, “It’s only $100 a month, no big deal.” But months later, the payments were still hanging around, even after the excitement of the trip had faded. That trip ended up costing me more than the plane ticket—it cost me “my why”. My bigger goals got pushed aside for something temporary.

The truth is, if you have to finance it just to make it “fit,” you don’t really have the money for it yet.

Affording Means Planning, Not Just Spending

Affording something means it fits within your budget, values, and long-term goals.

• It’s not about depriving yourself—it’s about aligning spending with what matters most.
  

• Sometimes the answer is yes, treat yourself. Other times, the wiser move is waiting until it won’t cost you peace of mind later.

Gentle reminder: Real affordability means your purchase supports your financial peace, not steals from it.

The Bottom Line: Just because the money’s there—or the payment plan looks small—doesn’t mean it’s truly affordable. Affordability is about freedom, not just funds. It’s being able to enjoy what you buy and still sleep soundly at night.

Your Turn: Have you ever swiped a credit card or used Klarna, Affirm, or another “pay over time” option for something you thought you could afford—only to regret it later? Share your story in the comments. You’re not alone, and being honest about those moments is how we all start making better money choices.