I get a monthly allowance, and honestly, I used to blow through it so fast. Like, I’d have cash one week and be asking for advances the next. And the weird part? I had no idea where it all went.
The Wake-Up Call
Last year, I saw this really cute dress online. Not expensive, just one with a pattern I liked for $17. I’d been eyeing it for a week, and one day I just bought it. Felt great for like… two days.
Then it mostly sat in my closet. I already had dresses I loved wearing. I just wanted this one because it looked so pretty in the photos and I saw it all over social media. That $17 could’ve been saved for something I actually needed.
That’s when I realized: I was confusing “wanting” with “needing.”
What’s the 48-Hour Rule?
It’s stupidly simple: Before buying anything that’s not essential, I wait 48 hours.
If I see something I want, I don’t buy it immediately. I write it down in my phone notes with the date, and I wait two full days. If I still want it after 48 hours, and I can actually afford it, then I buy it.
Essential stuff doesn’t count—like if my shoes are falling apart or I need school supplies. Those are needs, not wants.
Why Does This Actually Work?
Because most of the time, after two days, I don’t even remember what I wanted to buy.
We see something, get excited, and suddenly it feels like we NEED it right now. But that feeling is temporary. The 48-hour gap lets that initial excitement fade, and you start thinking more clearly:
- Do I actually need this?
- Will I use it more than once or twice?
- Is there something I already own that does the same thing?
- Am I just buying it because I’m bored or because everyone else has it?
Most of the time, the answer is: nah, I don’t really need it.
Real Examples from My Life
Things I DIDN’T buy after waiting 48 hours:
- A set of aesthetic folders with cool designs ($8) – I had plain folders that worked just fine
- Hair clips that looked super cute online ($6) – I already had clips I barely used
- Trendy snacks I saw on TikTok ($7) – I wasn’t even hungry, just bored
- Shoes that were on sale but similar to ones I already owned ($15) – Just because they’re on sale doesn’t mean I need them
That’s $36 saved right there.
Things I DID buy after waiting 48 hours:
- A good quality water bottle ($10) – I was buying drinks constantly, this actually saves money
- A book I’d been wanting to read ($9) – Still love it, totally worth it
- A dress for my piano concert ($18) – Actually needed it and wore it multiple times since
See the difference? The second list is stuff that either saves me money long-term or brings me genuine long-term value.
How I Actually Do It
I keep a note on my phone called “Wait List.” Whenever I want to buy something non-essential, I add:
- What it is
- How much it costs
- Date I wanted it
For online shopping, I also add things to my cart instead of checking out immediately. It feels like I’m buying it (which satisfies that impulse), but I’m not actually spending money yet.
Two days later, I review both my list and my cart. About 70% of the time, I delete the item or remove it from my cart. Sometimes I laugh at myself for thinking I needed it.
The Surprising Benefits
This rule made me more confident about the purchases I DO make. When I buy something after waiting 48 hours, I don’t have buyer’s remorse. I thought it through, I know why I’m buying it, and I’m genuinely happy with it.
Also, my “Wait List” has become this funny record of all the random stuff I thought I needed.
It’s Not About Depriving Yourself
I still buy things I enjoy. I still treat myself sometimes. But now it’s intentional. I’m in control, not my impulses.
Here’s what I learned: buying random stuff doesn’t actually make me feel better long-term. You know what does? Not being stressed about running out of money. Having some saved up. Being able to buy something I REALLY want when it comes along.
The 48-hour rule isn’t about never buying anything fun. It’s about making sure that when you do, it’s really worth it.
Try It
If you’re tired of always running low on money or wondering where it all went, just try this for one month.
Make a “Wait List” on your phone. Next time you want to buy something that’s not essential, write it down instead of buying it immediately. Check back in 48 hours.
I bet you’ll be surprised at how much you save. And more importantly, how much better you feel about the money you DO spend.
What’s the last thing you bought on impulse? Would you have still bought it if you’d waited 48 hours?