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Usually, if there’s something you want that you simply can’t afford, the best option is to simply move on with your life and come back to it later, when you have more cash. Alternatively, you can consider saving up until you finally have enough money to pay for whatever you need. However, there are cases when the things you can’t afford are actually necessary in your life. If you need to replace your washing machine and you can’t afford a new model, you can’t simply wait around until you’ve saved up a few months of wages. If this is the case for you, you might need to look into alternative options. With that in mind, here are 3 ways you can safely pay for something you can’t afford. 

Use the Web for Deals

First, just because you can’t afford the price of something on one website or at a specific store doesn’t mean the same item will be unaffordable everywhere. With this in mind, it’s worth looking for some opportunities to save extra cash with coupons and discount codes. You can search for discount codes on Google, or download an app straight to your browser to do the hard work for you. Compare your options between multiple different vendors to make sure you’re getting the best deal. If you have a little time on your hands, you could even consider shopping around in person, to see what’s available in your local stores too. Sometimes the deals you get offline are different from the ones available on the internet. This method can help you save money on everyday expenses as well, so it is worth your time and effort to familiarize yourself with it. 

Consider Borrowing the Money

While you shouldn’t get a loan on a whim, it might be the ideal option if you need to buy something urgently, and don’t have the right amount of cash. A personal loan with the right terms can help to spread the cost of something affordable into bite-sized chunks which you can pay back over a number of months, reducing the pressure on your bank account. If you’re planning on borrowing the money for your purchase, make sure you take the time to look for the best deal on your loan, and ensure you’re getting the right price for the item too. You can even combine getting a loan with the other two options on this list to boost your chances of the best deal. 

Research Upcoming Sales 

If borrowing money or using a coupon both aren’t an option for you, consider looking into upcoming sales for the stores you’re thinking of buying from. You can look into the seasonal discounts offered by different companies in the past by checking out their blogs and social media pages. It’s also worth thinking about any common annual or semi-annual sales which might be happening soon, like Black Friday. Although you might not be able to wait months for a sale to start, if you know one is about to begin soon, you might be able to save some extra cash by holding on for just a few days. A good way to make sure you don’t miss out on offers when they emerge is to sign up for a newsletter from the company you want to buy from, or follow them on social media.