Most people think they're good at finding deals. They're not. They're good at clicking the first listing that looks cheap.

Three checks before you buy anything:

1. Same item, different store. The "best" price is often a worse seller with slower shipping or a restocked return. Price without store quality is a trap.

1. The substitute. The brand you typed isn't always the product you need. A $28 version of a $90 thing exists more often than people admit — if you search by spec, not by name.

1. The wait. If it isn't needed this week, it isn't a purchase yet. It's a watch. Prices move. Most "discounts" are just last month's regular price wearing a red badge.

That's the whole game: real price, better alternative, right store. Do those three and you stop donating money at checkout.