Social networks and other websites are full of ads. All you have to do is think about something, mention a wish or type a word into a search engine and you’ll be bombarded with personalised ads. With kids, it’s like a waterfall. I look at one toy and in a moment the algorithms offer me thousands of them. I usually spend a long time wondering if we really need that toy. I usually come to the conclusion that we don’t. I’m not an impulse buyer. But there are people who see, click, order. So it’s good to follow the 24-hour rule.

Impulse spending is really dangerous. You tell yourself you’re going to stick to the plan, you’re not going to buy unnecessary things. And yet. An irresistible offer comes along. A sale at irresistible prices. And suddenly your household is full of things you may never use. The money in your wallet and your bank account gets thinner. Yet you just need to follow a simple rule.

The 24-hour rule

It’s a very simple rule that really works. The point is that if you see any item, you don’t buy it right away. You can look at the item, you can even add it to your cart or at least put it in your favorites. However, you don’t close the deal at first. Allow yourself time to think. It’s not for nothing they say that morning is wiser than evening.

You come back to your order the next day, ideally 24 hours later, and you’re still convinced you need that item? Then it could probably be worth it. But if your urge to buy disappears, you’ve just saved yourself some money. You might regret it, but more likely you’ll be glad you didn’t buy another thing completely unwisely.

━━ ( Source: rupixen /  Unsplash+ )

Impulse spending

Impulse spending usually stems from emotional triggers and environmental factors. Behaviour can stem from a variety of motivations, such as seeking immediate gratification or perhaps stress relief. If you recognize the patterns of behavior, then you can take control of your finances and make more conscious and sensible decisions.

Indeed, we often make purchases to satisfy emotional needs. The instant gratification that comes with buying a new item can improve our mood. It can even boost self-esteem. But all of this is only temporary. Neurologically, the brain releases dopamine in these moments, reinforcing the cycle of impulsive spending. Recognizing this response is essential to curbing impulsive habits.

Why the 24-hour rule works

  1. Most impulse purchases are driven by emotion. Waiting removes them and engages logic.
  2. Delaying a purchase gives you time to check whether the item is necessary to buy and whether you have enough money to buy it.
  3. Fewer spontaneous purchases also means fewer things you absolutely don’t need at home.
  4. The longer you use the rule, the easier it will be not to succumb to buying.

A few tips to finish

How about making a game out of this rule. Test. Commit to not buying non-essential items without waiting. Add the item to your list and check later to see if you really need it. Is it a big-ticket item? Then try thinking about buying it even longer. Maybe two or three days. Maybe even a week. Try writing a list of why you need to buy the item, and conversely , why it is not necessary. Make a decision based on that. That’s my practice. Especially with toys and baby equipment. I consider the necessity of the purchase, compare the quality of the products and their price. I find out information and then I buy. Many times it takes more than a week to make a decision.