5 shopping rules to stop impulse buying (beyond the 30-day rule)

If you've tried the 24-hour rule or the 30-day rule, you already know how well a simple rule works. You don't have to make a big decision in the moment. You just follow the rule, and the rule gives you time to think.

But one rule doesn't fit everything. A day can feel too short for a new jacket, and a month can feel silly for a $12 candle. So here are five more shopping rules worth having in your back pocket, and when each one works best.

1. The 72-hour rule

The rule: wait three full days before buying anything you didn't plan to buy.

Why it works: it's long enough for the "I need this right now" feeling to fade, and short enough that you won't miss most sales. A weekend sale that starts on Friday is still on by Monday.

Best for: medium-sized purchases, and anything you spot during a sale. If 24 hours feels too easy to wait out and 30 days feels like forever, three days is a great middle ground.

Example: you see a sweater on Thursday night. Save it, and look again on Sunday. Still love it? Buy it. Already forgotten about it? You just saved the money.

2. The "one day per $10" rule

The rule: wait one day for every $10 something costs.

Why it works: the waiting time grows with the price, so you never have to decide how long to wait. Small things get a short pause, and big things get a proper one.

Best for: people who like a clear system, and anyone who tends to overthink small purchases while rushing big ones.

Example: a $40 top means a 4-day wait. A $120 pair of boots means 12 days. A $300 jacket means 30 days, which happens to be the 30-day rule.

3. One in, one out

The rule: every time something new comes in, something similar goes out. A new top means one old top gets donated, sold or passed on.

Why it works: it makes you compare. You're not just asking "do I want this?" but "do I want this more than something I already have?" That question changes a lot of answers.

Best for: clothes, shoes, bags, mugs, books and anything else that tends to pile up. It's a great rule if your closet or cupboards already feel full.

Example: you want a new water bottle. Fine, but which of your four current water bottles is leaving? If you can't pick one, maybe you don't need a fifth.

4. The 10-10-10 rule

The rule: before you buy, ask how you'll feel about it in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years.

Why it works: impulse buys are all about the next 10 minutes. Thinking further ahead puts the excitement in proportion. Things that will still matter in 10 months are usually worth buying. Things you won't remember in 10 months usually aren't.

Best for: bigger or more emotional purchases, where you can't tell if you really want it or just want the feeling of buying it.

Example: a trendy bag might feel amazing for 10 minutes, so-so in 10 months, and not at all in 10 years. A good winter coat you'll wear for years scores well on all three.

5. The 30 wears rule

The rule: only buy something if you're confident you'll use it at least 30 times.

Why it works: it forces you to picture real life, not the one perfect outfit or occasion. If you can't imagine 30 uses, it's probably a "nice to have" rather than something you'll actually reach for.

Best for: clothes and accessories especially, but it works for kitchen gadgets and hobby gear too. It pairs perfectly with the cost-per-wear rule, which shows you what each of those uses really costs.

Example: a sparkly top for one party? Probably not 30 wears. A plain sweater that goes with everything? Easily.

How to pick the right rule

You don't need to use all five. Pick one or two that match how you shop:

• Small, everyday things: the 24-hour rule or the 72-hour rule.
• Anything on sale: the 72-hour rule, so you can still catch the deal.
• If you like a system: one day per $10.
• If your space is already full: one in, one out.
• Big or emotional buys: the 30-day rule or the 10-10-10 rule.
• Clothes: the 30 wears rule.

The rules all have one thing in common: they put a little time and a little thought between wanting something and buying it. That's really all it takes.

The short version

• 72-hour rule: wait three days. Great for sales.
• One day per $10: the wait grows with the price.
• One in, one out: something new means something similar goes.
• 10-10-10: how will you feel in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years?
• 30 wears: only buy it if you'll use it 30 times.

Want the two rules that started it all? Here's the 24-hour rule vs. the 30-day rule. And if you'd like a quiet place to let things wait, with a cooldown of anywhere from a day to a month, that's what Favelist is for.