The 24-Hour Rule and Other Ways to Stop Impulse Buying

Impulse buying is when you purchase something without planning to, usually driven by emotion rather than need. That jacket looked good on the mannequin. The gadget seemed useful in the moment. The sale was ending soon.

Then you get home and realize you don't need it, won't use it, or already have something similar. But you spent money you could have used elsewhere, and now you're stuck with something taking up space.

The 24-Hour Rule

Before buying anything over a certain amount (pick your number, maybe $50 or $100), wait 24 hours. Add it to your cart but don't check out. Save the listing but don't click buy.

If you still want it tomorrow, buy it. But often you'll forget about it, realize you don't need it, or find something better.

This works because impulse is temporary. The urgent feeling fades. What felt essential in the moment often feels unnecessary a day later.

Make It Harder to Buy

Delete saved payment information from online stores. Having to type in your card number every time adds friction that gives you a moment to reconsider.

Uninstall shopping apps. Getting rid of one-click purchasing makes impulse buying less convenient, which means you do it less.

Unsubscribe from marketing emails. If you're not seeing the sale or the new product, you won't be tempted to buy it.

Avoid Shopping as Entertainment

Browsing stores when you're bored is how impulse purchases happen. You weren't looking for anything specific, but now you're buying three things you didn't know existed an hour ago.

If you tend to shop when bored or stressed, find a different activity. Go for a walk, read, call a friend. Shopping shouldn't be your default hobby.

Use a Wish List

Keep a running list of things you want. When you see something you're tempted to buy, add it to the list instead of immediately purchasing.

Review the list weekly or monthly. Items that still feel important after sitting on the list for a while might be worth buying. Items you forgot about probably weren't.

Calculate the Time Cost

Convert the purchase price into hours of work. If you make $25 per hour after taxes and you're looking at a $75 jacket, that's three hours of your life.

Are you willing to work three hours for that jacket? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. But thinking about purchases in terms of time makes their real cost clearer.

Beware of Sales

"50% off" feels like saving money, but you're still spending money. Buying something you don't need for half price means you spent money you didn't have to spend.

Sales are only good deals if you were planning to buy the item anyway. Otherwise it's a marketing trick to make spending feel responsible.

Question the Trigger

Notice what prompts impulse buying. Are you shopping when you're stressed, tired, sad, or bored? Are you buying to feel better or because you actually need something?

If shopping is emotional regulation, the purchases won't actually help. You'll feel better briefly, then feel worse about the money spent.

Set a Fun Money Budget

Have a designated amount for guilt-free spending on whatever you want. If your monthly fun money is $100 and you impulse buy a $75 item, you have $25 left for the rest of the month.

This channels impulse spending into a controlled budget category instead of trying to eliminate it entirely.

Return It

If you already bought something impulsively and regret it, return it if possible. Yes, it's annoying. But getting your money back is better than keeping something you don't want out of embarrassment.

Most stores have return policies. Use them. The few minutes of hassle are worth the refund.

Ask Basic Questions

Before buying, ask yourself:

• Do I need this or just want it?
• Where will I keep it?
• When will I use it?
• Do I already own something similar?
• Would I buy this if it weren't on sale?
• Will I regret this tomorrow?

Honest answers usually reveal whether it's a good purchase or an impulse.

The Bottom Line

Wait 24 hours before buying anything over $50. Remove saved payment information and shopping apps to add friction. Don't shop when bored or emotional. Keep a wish list and review it regularly instead of buying immediately. Set a fun money budget for guilt-free impulse purchases within limits. If you want to see how much you're currently spending on non-essential purchases, BankToBudget can analyze your spending patterns and show you where impulse buying might be eating your budget.