The 30-Day Rule: A Simple Way to Stop Impulse Spending

I used to convince myself I “needed” something within seconds of seeing it.
New shoes for a trip. A watch I saw on Instagram. Even upgrades for a vacation I hadn’t booked yet.

In the moment, every purchase felt justified.
But a week later? Regret.

That’s when I started using the 30-Day Rule, and it completely changed how I spend.

What Is the 30-Day Rule?

It’s simple.
When you want to buy something that isn’t essential, wait 30 days before you make the purchase.

No clicking “buy now.”
No swiping your card just because it’s on sale.
You pause. You wait. You let your emotions cool off.

Why It Works (Especially for Big Purchases)

Most of us buy with our emotions, especially when it comes to big-ticket items.

Think about it.
You see something you like, and your brain goes,
"Oh yeah, this is perfect."
You start imagining how good it’ll look, how it’ll make you feel, or how much more complete your life will be once you have it.

That emotional high is what drives the purchase.
But if you give yourself time to step back, you can make the decision with a clearer head.

What Happens During the 30 Days

Here’s the magic of it.
After 30 days, that “I need it now” feeling is almost always gone.

For me, about 80% of the time, I forget about the thing altogether.
The urgency fades.
And I realize it wasn’t a need. It was just a moment of emotional hype.

When to Use It

You don’t need to apply the 30-Day Rule to everything. Just the non-essential and larger purchases.

Think:

• New electronics

• Designer clothes

• Travel upgrades

• Subscription upgrades

• “Treat yourself” shopping sprees

If it’s something that’ll impact your budget, cause stress, or delay your goals, it’s worth pausing for.

What I Learned (That I Didn’t Expect)

What surprised me the most wasn’t just how much money I saved.
It was how much more in control I felt.

Using the 30-Day Rule trained me to slow down, listen to my logic, and trust that I didn’t need to buy every shiny thing I saw.
It helped me develop patience and a mindset of financial clarity. Not just discipline.

Try It For Yourself

Next time you're tempted to buy something big, pause and say:
"Alright, let’s wait 30 days. If I still want it, I’ll come back to it."

That one pause can save you hundreds, or even thousands, a year.
And more importantly, it’ll help you take back control of your money decisions.

Want more helpful tips? Subscribe to my newsletter below. 

👉🏽 Subscribe to the newsletter for one powerful money tip every week

Want personalized financial coaching? Find the right program for you.

👉🏽 Book your coaching session here

Remember: you don’t rise to the level of your goals—you fall to the level of your systems. Build one that works for you.