Impulse shopping is something we’ve all done — clicking “Buy Now” without thinking twice. But for UK shoppers, these quick decisions add up fast. On average, Brits spend over £1,000 per year on impulse buys. That’s an entire holiday, a new laptop, or months’ worth of groceries gone in a flash.

If you’ve ever looked at your bank balance and thought, “Where did it all go?” — impulse spending is often the hidden culprit.

So how do you stop impulse buying — without feeling like you’re missing out? Below are 5 proven tips that actually work for UK shoppers, plus a tool that makes it easier to shop smarter on sites like Amazon, Temu, eBay, and ASOS.

1. Understand Your Triggers

Impulse buying often isn’t about the item itself — it’s about the emotion behind the purchase. Maybe you shop out of boredom, stress, or because a flashing “50% off today only” banner tricks your brain into urgency.

Recognising your triggers is the first step to controlling spending online. For many people, it’s emotional — a short-term dopamine hit that leads to long-term regret.

Quick tip: Keep a note on your phone of the times you feel tempted to shop. Over time, you’ll see patterns that help you cut back.

2. Use Technology to Pause Before Buying

Here’s the truth: online stores are designed to make you spend impulsively. They use psychological tricks — limited-time offers, countdown timers, free shipping thresholds — all of which are carefully crafted to override rational thinking.

That’s where the Don’t Buy That™ browser extension comes in. It’s a free UK tool that gently interrupts you with a simple popup when you shop on major sites like Amazon, Temu, eBay, and ASOS:

“Do you really need this?”

This small pause gives your brain time to switch from emotional mode to rational mode, helping you make better decisions.

Bonus: It also delays the “Buy Now” button for a few seconds, making impulse purchases harder to complete.

3. Set Weekly Spending Limits

You don’t need a complicated spreadsheet to budget. Simply give yourself a weekly spending cap for non-essentials — what financial experts sometimes call a “fun fund.”

Example: £25/week for takeaways, new clothes, or random Amazon finds. If you don’t use it, roll it over for a bigger treat later.

This system helps you enjoy shopping — without it spiralling out of control.

4. Try the 24-Hour Rule

One of the easiest tricks to stop impulse buying is the 24-hour rule. If you see something you like, don’t buy it immediately. Add it to your wish list or bookmarks and come back the next day.

Most of the time, you’ll find the urge has disappeared.

Challenge: Try the 24-hour rule for just 7 days and track how many purchases you skip. Many people are shocked by how much they save.

5. Make Saving More Rewarding

Impulse spending gives you a dopamine hit — so the trick is to make saving feel just as good.

Try this: Every time you resist a purchase, transfer that amount into a savings pot labelled “Things I Really Want.” Watching it grow feels far more satisfying than filling a cart with things you’ll regret later.

This way, you’re not depriving yourself — you’re trading quick highs for bigger, long-term wins.

Final Thought: You’re Not Alone

Impulse shopping is engineered to be addictive — companies literally spend billions to hack your brain into buying more. But with awareness, practical strategies, and tools like Don’t Buy That™, you can take control.

Try the Don’t Buy That Chrome Extension today — it’s free, private, and designed just for UK shoppers who want to stop impulse spending and shop smarter online.