TL;DR
Pause impulse buys for 24 hours. Tomorrow, decide with a clearer head whether you still need it at that price.
Season: All year
How to do it
- Put the item in your cart or save the link in Notes, Reminders, or a wishlist.
- Do not buy it immediately. Set a reminder for the same time tomorrow.
- Ask yourself: Do I really need this, do I need it today, and is this still a good price?
- Buy only if the answer is still a clear yes. If not, empty the cart.
Why it helps
Many online purchases come from timing, discount pressure, and a quick dopamine hit. A 24-hour pause removes the fake urgency. You are not banning the purchase; you are moving the decision to a calmer moment.
Good exceptions
Do not use this rule for essentials like medicine, repair parts, school supplies, or a replacement for something that is genuinely broken. For everything else, the waiting period is a simple filter against regret buys.
Extra tip
If you often buy from the same shops, create a note called 'Maybe buy'. Save links there with the date. Once a week, review the list and delete anything that already feels unimportant.