Money 101

How to Stop Impulse Buying (and feel good about it)

*Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. We receive a small commission if you purchase something we recommend (at no cost to you). All opinions remain our own.

How to Stop Impulse Buying and Feel Good About It 

I used to think the only way to save money was to be strict, like say “no” and feel bad about it later. But over time, I realized that a lot of my spending wasn’t planned – it was impulsive. And not because I really wanted something, but because it was on sale, in front of me, or just caught me at the right moment.

The regret always came later when the excitement wore off and I had a box of stuff I didn’t need and money I couldn’t get back. So I started doing something different. I started having honest conversations with myself before I made those quick purchases.

I didn’t just try to stop. I tried to understand. And that’s what changed everything. So here’s how to stop impulse buying and feel good about it. 



1. I ask myself: What triggered this “need” just now?

Impulse buys don’t come out of nowhere. They usually start with something deeper. Maybe I’m stressed. Maybe I just saw someone else buy it. Maybe I’m bored and scrolling. I started pausing in those moments to ask myself what’s really going on. Why now? Why this? Nine times out of ten, the item is filling a temporary feeling.

That moment of awareness pulls me out of autopilot and puts me back in control. I can name what I’m feeling and deal with that instead of spending to cover it up. If I’m lonely, a new pair of shoes isn’t going to fix it. If I’m tired, ordering takeout every time isn’t going to give me more energy.

When I recognize the emotional trigger, I remind myself that the solution probably doesn’t come in a package. (Related: Download your mindful spending Money Mindset Bullet Journal — it’s your personal spending coach). 

That alone helps me stop impulse buying and feel good about it – without feeling deprived. Because now I’m addressing the real problem. 

2. I look around and remind myself what I already have

This one might sound simple, but it works. When I catch myself eyeing something new, I make a point to think about or even go look at what I already own that’s similar. If it’s a cute sweater, I ask myself when’s the last time I wore the five sweaters I already have. (Related Video: Stop Trying to Save Money and Just Spend Better)

If it’s a kitchen gadget, I think about the ones in my drawer that barely get used. It’s not about guilting myself – it’s about grounding myself. There’s a difference between needing something and wanting the feeling that something new gives you.

Sometimes just remembering that I already have what I need makes me feel more settled. That little reset of checking in with my current stuff makes the new item feel less like a “must-have” and more like a “nice idea.” And that distance is all I need to talk myself out of the sale.

I walk away feeling grateful instead of restricted.

3. I picture where this item will be in a month

This one always gets me. I ask myself: If I buy this, where will it actually end up a month from now? Will it still be in the front of my closet? Will it still be exciting? Will I even remember I bought it? So many of my past impulse buys turned into clutter, or worse, guilt.

The box that sat unopened. The thing I told myself I’d use but never did. When I fast forward and imagine the real outcome – not the fantasy I built in the moment – I can see more clearly.

I stop imagining the perfect version of me using the perfect item in the perfect way. I get honest. And more often than not, the realistic version of the story just isn’t worth my money. That little bit of future thinking helps me disconnect from the “now” pressure. And once that pressure is gone, the need to buy fades with it.



4. I remind myself the moment will pass (because it always does)

Impulse shopping thrives on urgency. The sale is ending. The item is going fast. This is your one shot. But I’ve lived long enough to know that those moments always pass. Something else will be on sale next week. Another version of that thing will pop up again. I started telling myself, “If it’s really for me, it’ll be there when I’m ready.”

That one sentence has helped me shut so many tabs and close so many carts. The truth is, I’ve never regretted not buying something impulsively. But I have regretted the times I bought in a rush and felt the disappointment linger longer than the joy.

Just letting the moment pass, even if it’s uncomfortable for a minute, has taught me patience and perspective. I don’t have to move every time I feel a spark. I can let it burn out, and still be okay. (Related Video: The Secret Money Hack)

Actually, I end up better off almost every time.

5. I give myself something better to look forward to

The reason impulse buying feels good is because it gives us a little high. It’s the excitement of something new, something that feels like a treat. I’ve learned to not just take that away, but to replace it.

When I talk myself out of a purchase, I try to redirect my energy toward something I truly enjoy that doesn’t involve spending. Maybe it’s a walk, maybe it’s a favorite show, maybe it’s a free activity I’ve been meaning to do.

Sometimes, I even move that same money to savings or a goal I care about and remind myself that that’s the real win. I still get that little dopamine hit, but it’s attached to something long-term, something I’ll actually remember. I’m not just avoiding the purchase – I’m choosing something better. And when you make that choice enough times, you stop feeling like you’re missing out. You start feeling like you’re investing in something bigger than a moment.

Related Blog Posts:



FAQ on How to Stop Impulse Buying and Feel Good About It

How to avoid impulse purchases without feeling deprived?

Start by giving yourself permission to want things, but not to buy them right away. When something catches your eye, add it to a 24-hour (or even 7-day) wishlist. This pause gives you time to think it through. Often, the urge fades. Instead of saying “no,” you’re saying “not yet,” which feels less restrictive. And when you do buy something later, it’s intentional, not impulsive, which makes it feel way more satisfying.

Ways to stop impulse spending that actually work?

Delete shopping apps, unsubscribe from promo emails, and avoid browsing just to “look.” Create a spending plan that includes fun money, so you’re not cutting everything out. When you want something, ask: “Would I still want this if I had to pay cash right now?” That one question can stop you fast. Tracking every purchase for a month also helps because you’ll quickly see patterns and catch emotional spending before it starts.

How I stopped impulse buying and saved money

I started by being honest about what was triggering my spending – boredom, stress, or just seeing a good deal. I made it harder to buy on the spot by removing saved cards from websites and turning off one-click purchases. I gave myself a weekly check-in where I could decide if I still wanted something. Most of the time, I didn’t. That change alone helped me save money without feeling like I was constantly missing out.

No Comments

Leave a Reply