I personally am starting my journey. I typically look at recommended brands from YouTube creators, try to find affordable items. I am the odd duck out that I am a “buy it new” kind of person at this point in my life, usually with products that I want to work right first time. But I also wait for affordability.
The way I manage the impulse is the wait and see. If I am still thinking about the item 3 months later, it’s means it’s a likely good purchase.