The Rising Cost of Living in the UK

UK households are feeling the squeeze. Inflation continues to push up the cost of essentials, from groceries at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda, to energy bills under Ofgem’s price cap, and transport costs. According to ONS data, the average weekly spend for UK households has risen sharply, particularly on food, utilities, and fuel.

In this environment, it’s easy to fall into the trap of impulse spending, especially online. Those “little treats” — a gadget on Amazon, a last-minute sale item, a takeaway coffee — may seem harmless, but they add up quickly. In a high-inflation context, even small unnecessary purchases can tip a tight budget over the edge.

This guide shows UK shoppers how to identify impulse spending triggers, implement practical strategies, and use simple tools like Don’t Buy That® to regain control.

Why Impulse Spending Spikes During Inflation

1. Psychological Comfort

   • Money anxiety makes us prone to retail therapy. In uncertain economic times, buying something small can give a temporary dopamine boost.

2. Online Shopping Convenience

   • One-click checkouts, saved card details, and targeted ads make it extremely easy to buy without thinking.

3. Perceived Scarcity & Sales Pressure

   • Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and New Year sales trigger urgency. Retailers exploit FOMO (“limited-time offer”) to encourage quick purchases.

Step 1: Understand Your Current Spending

Before you can curb impulse buys, you need to know where your money goes:

• Income: Salary, freelance work, benefits like Universal Credit, or pensions.

• Essential Spending: Rent/mortgage, council tax, energy bills, groceries, transport.

• Non-Essential Spending: Takeaways, gadgets, clothing, subscription services.

• Debt & Savings: Credit cards, loans, emergency fund, ISAs.

Action Step: Track your spending for at least one month using a spreadsheet or budgeting app. Knowing where your money goes is the first step to controlling it.

Step 2: Identify Impulse Triggers

Impulse spending often comes from emotional or situational triggers:

• Stress or Anxiety: Money worries make small purchases feel like relief.

• Boredom: Browsing online shopping sites can turn into unplanned spending.

• Marketing Triggers: “Limited time,” “50% off,” and personalised ads are designed to make you buy now.

Pro Tip: Awareness is half the battle. Recognising triggers makes it easier to intervene before clicking “buy.”

Step 3: Practical Ways to Stop Impulse Spending

1. Introduce a Pause Before Checkout

• Take 10–15 seconds to rethink non-essential purchases.

• Desktop tools like Don’t Buy That® insert a small delay before the checkout button activates, creating friction that helps you decide if you truly need the item.

2. Use a Wishlist Instead of Buying Immediately

• Add items to a wishlist and revisit after 24–48 hours.

• Often, the initial urge fades, saving you money.

3. Remove Saved Card Details

• Manually entering card information adds a small barrier, giving your brain time to reconsider.

4. Limit Marketing Exposure

• Unsubscribe from retailer emails offering flash deals or “today only” discounts.

• Use ad blockers or browser settings to reduce retargeted ads.

5. Set a Weekly “Fun Money” Budget

• Allocate a small, fixed amount for discretionary spending.

• Keeps some flexibility without compromising essential budgets.

6. Plan Meals and Shop With a List

• Plan weekly meals, and make a shopping list before visiting stores like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Asda.

• Reduces last-minute unplanned purchases and expensive takeaway meals.

7. Review Subscriptions Regularly

• Cancel or downgrade services you rarely use (streaming, apps, premium software).

• This simple review can free £20–£50 per month.

Step 4: Use the 2026 Market to Your Advantage

• Sales Awareness: Black Friday, Christmas, and January sales can be traps. Only buy items on your list.

• Cashback & Comparison Tools: UK sites like MoneySavingExpert or CompareTheMarket can help find the best deals.

• Energy & Utility Checks: Switching suppliers can reduce bills and free up cash to meet essential spending.

Step 5: Automate Savings to Avoid Impulse Spending

• Move money into a separate savings account as soon as you get paid.

• Even £10–£20 per week grows over time, building a financial buffer.

• Avoid touching this money for non-essentials.

Case Study: A UK Household in Action

Mia and Tom from Leeds:

• With rising energy bills and grocery costs, they noticed small online purchases (Amazon gadgets, subscription boxes) were adding up to £200–£300 a month.

• They implemented a 10-second pause at checkout, removed saved card details, and set a £30 weekly discretionary budget.

• By February 2026, impulse spending had dropped by 50%, and they had saved over £600 — without feeling deprived.

Step 6: Mind Your Mental Health While Budgeting

• Financial stress is common. Avoid guilt from past spending — focus on positive changes for 2026.

• Celebrate wins: sticking to your pause, tracking expenses, or saving small amounts.

• Share goals with partners or friends to increase accountability.

Why Don’t Buy That® Helps in 2026

The extension is a simple, desktop-based tool (works on Chrome, Edge, Firefox) that:

• Detects UK shopping sites

• Adds a brief delay at checkout

• Prompts you to pause and reflect

In an inflationary environment, that tiny pause can prevent hundreds of pounds in unnecessary purchases and help you stick to your New Year budget.

Start Controlling Impulse Spending Today

Rising inflation and the 2026 cost-of-living pressures make every pound count. Implement these habits:

• Pause before buying online

• Track your spending

• Use wishlists and subscription reviews

…and consider using Don’t Buy That® to prevent mindless purchases.

Take action now — make 2026 the year you save smarter, reduce stress, and stay in control of your finances.