The 30-Day Rule: How to Outsmart Impulse Spending

Online shopping makes it dangerously easy to spend on a whim. Before clicking “Buy Now,” try the 30-Day Rule—it’s like a cooling-off period for your wallet.

How it works:When you want something non-essential, write it down with the date. Wait 30 days before buying. Most of the time, the urge disappears or you find a better deal.

Why it works:Impulse buying feeds on emotion. The delay shifts decisions from “want” brain to “logic” brain.

Fast-track version:If 30 days feels too long, start with 7 or 14. Even a week’s delay kills most impulse purchases.

Track your “saved” totals.Each time you skip a purchase, jot down what you didn’t spend. Watching that “money I didn’t waste” number grow is addictive—in a good way.

In one year, even modest restraint—two skipped $40 impulse buys a month—adds up to nearly $1,000 saved. That’s a vacation, not another forgotten gadget.