For some decisions, it can be helpful to have an objective view. If you have your heart set on a big purchase, it’s even more reason to get another view. It might help you get a better deal. Even if it doesn’t, at least you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into.

Back when I lived in London, a friend and I had a chance to buy our old gym. We had trained there for years and had tons of friends there. It would have been easy to get sucked in to a bad deal by our sentimentality.

Knowing the potential pitfall, we hired a consultant to help us determine a fair offer. To our surprise, he recommended that we walk away. He said that unless we saw something he didn’t, the value wasn’t there. It was hard to hear, but probably saved us from future financial trouble and heartache.

What do you do to keep your heart from leading you financially astray?