A growing number of people are rethinking their spending by measuring purchases in hours of their life instead of dollars. The idea, which recently went viral on Reddit, came from someone earning $18 an hour who started asking, “Is this worth giving up an hour of my life?” before buying something. They found it stopped them from making impulse purchases. Others shared similar experiences, saying this mindset made them more intentional with their money. One person said, “Every dollar you save is another minute of freedom you get back,” while another linked wealth directly to buying back time. Some even used this shift to quit habits like gambling after realizing the hours they were giving away. The approach doesn’t mean never spending on yourself. Commenters stressed the importance of balancing mindful spending with enjoying life. The key is making purchases that are truly worth the time investment, focusing on the experience rather than just the cost. This concept mirrors the philosophy in Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, which has helped many transform their relationship with money. In the end, thinking in hours instead of dollars can slow down spending decisions and align them with what matters most.