We're all guilty of a little excess now and then. "Retail therapy" has certainly worked its fleeting wonders on my mental health. But sometimes online shopping — or any shopping for that matter — can find us experiencing some serious cognitive dissonance after the fact. So how can you avoid making bad shopping decisions in the heat of the moment? Ask yourself these questions before you buy:

1.) Have you done your homework? Have you shopped around and found the best price? The right model? The strongest brand? Have you read multiple user reviews? Are you sure this is "the one?" If not, what's the store's return policy?

2.) Will you really use it? Do you need it? Does it have a meaningful place in your world? Give yourself time to think it through. Put an item on hold for 24 hours while you consider the big picture. And if you do end up buying something without feeling confident, ask yourself this question again:

3.) What's the return policy? Full refund within 30 days? Exchanges only? Final sale on markdowns? There's much to be said for reading the fine print.

4.) What's your frame of mind? Are you shopping for a high? Feeding your ego? Filling some emotional hole? Is the discount more important than the reality of what you're purchasing? There are other ways to boost your mood.

5.) Do you have the money? Will this put you in serious debt? Will the item be long gone from your life before you pay off the interest on the purchase? Be honest with yourself. A moment of disappointment is better than a lifetime of bad credit.

Happy shopping. Just make sure it's smart, responsible shopping.