Free tool
Impulse spending calculator
See what the small buys add up to, and what that money could grow to if you kept it. Your numbers stay in your browser and nothing is saved.
The numbers below are an example. Change them to yours.
What you spend
What it adds up to
Per year
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Over 10 years
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If saved instead
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If you saved it instead
What the same money could grow to after 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 years, at the yearly rate you picked. The highlighted bar is the one closest to your choice.
The growth is an example, not a promise or financial advice. Real returns vary, and this ignores fees, taxes and inflation.
Want to spend less on impulse? Sleep on it.
Save the next thing you want to Favelist instead of buying it. Give it a few days and see if you still want it. Every want that fades is money you kept.
Small buys, big totals
Per year = amount x how many times a year. $25 a week is $25 x 52 = $1,300 a year, and $13,000 over ten years. Saved each month at 5%, the same money would grow to roughly $16,800 over that time.
Nobody has to give up every treat. The point is to see the real total, so the choice to spend it is a choice, not a leak you never noticed.
Three tips for using the number
- Count the small stuff. Scan one month of statements for the things you did not plan. People usually find more than they expected.
- Aim for less, not zero. Cutting it by a third is realistic and still shows up in the total.
- Wait before you buy. A day is enough for most small wants to fade. Save the item instead of buying it and see what is left.
Questions
How much do impulse purchases cost per year?
It adds up faster than people expect. $5 a day is about $1,825 a year. $25 a week is $1,300. $150 a month is $1,800. Enter your own amount and pick day, week or month, and the calculator turns it into a yearly total.
How do I work out what I spend on impulse buys?
Look back over a typical month of your bank or card statement and add up the things you did not plan: takeaway coffee, small online orders, app and game purchases, "while I was there" extras. Even a rough number is enough. If you are not sure, start with a guess and change it.
How is the "if saved instead" amount worked out?
It assumes you put the same amount away every month and it earns the yearly rate you choose, added up monthly. The formula is monthly amount x (((1 + monthly rate) to the power of the number of months) - 1) / monthly rate. It ignores fees, taxes and inflation, so treat it as an illustration.
What rate should I use?
There is no right answer. A savings account usually pays less than 5%. Stock market averages over very long periods are often quoted at around 7% a year before inflation, but past results do not predict the future and returns can be negative in any year. Try a few rates, including 0%, to see the range.
Is the goal to spend nothing on impulse buys?
No. A little spontaneity is fine and often makes life nicer. The point is to see the real total and decide on purpose. Many people aim to cut it by a third, or to wait a day before small buys. Our notes on the 24-hour rule and the 30-day rule explain how.
Does the calculator save or send my numbers?
No. It runs entirely in your browser, with no account and nothing stored. The Share button makes a link that has your numbers in it, so whoever opens it sees the same result.