Four Things I Do Before I Buy Something I Didn't Plan On
- Jeannette Fennel
- Jun 19
- 4 min read
I was standing in the middle of Target (which, if you know me, is already a dangerous place to be), holding a linen blazer I had not come in for, had not planned on buying, and had absolutely no business picking up. It was black. It was on sale. My brain was already building the outfits.
I almost did it. I had the blazer draped over my arm, wandering around the store grabbing the items I actually came in for (toothpaste, toilet bowl cleaner, deodorant). And then I caught myself.
This is a thing that happens to me. I have ADHD and one of the ways it shows up in my financial life is impulse spending. Not in a “I have a problem” way (though I have had to be honest with myself about patterns) but in a very real “my brain saw something shiny and has now convinced me I need it” way. The dopamine hit of a new purchase is real. For a lot of people with ADHD, it is really, really appealing.
I have paid off six figures of debt. I coach people on their money. And I still have to actively manage this.
So here is what I actually do when I feel an impulse buy coming on.
I make myself wait 48 hours.
This is the simplest one, and also the one I resist the most in the moment. When I feel that pull, that “I need this right now” energy, I put it down, step away, and give it two days. What I have noticed is that about 80% of the time, I forget about it entirely. If I am still thinking about something 48 hours later, it might actually be worth buying. But usually? The feeling passes. The blazer will still be there. And if it is not, it probably was not meant to be mine.
I run it through a wardrobe gut check.
This one has saved me from so many trendy pieces I would have worn twice. Before I buy anything clothing-related, I make myself answer a few questions: How many things do I already own that this goes with? Does it fit the way I actually dress, or the way I wish I dressed? Is this a piece I will reach for in two years, or is it something I love right now because it is everywhere right now?
None of those questions have a wrong answer, by the way. Sometimes a trend piece is exactly what you want to buy. But making yourself ask the question before you buy it is the difference between an intentional purchase and a “why did I buy this” moment six months later.
I look at my fun money balance.
My husband Joe and I both have a fun money category in our budget. It is real money, it is ours to spend however we want, and there are no questions asked. But it is also finite. So when I am standing in Target holding a blazer I did not come in for, I pull up my budget and look at what I have left. And then I ask myself: is this really how I want to spend it?
Sometimes the answer is yes. And that is totally fine, that is what fun money is for. But a lot of the time, seeing the actual number makes the decision a lot clearer. My brain is very good at making me feel like I have unlimited resources when I am in a store. My budget is very good at reminding me that I do not.
🔗 If you want to dig into fun money more, I wrote a whole post about it (and honestly, I think it has saved my marriage more than a handful of times): Click here.
I took my debit card off my phone.
This one sounds small but it has been a bigger deal than I expected. When my card was saved to my phone, buying something online took about fifteen seconds. Which is not enough time for my brain to catch up with what I was doing. Removing it added just enough friction to break the spell. Now I have to go find my wallet, get my card out, and type in the numbers manually. By the time I have done all of that, I have had enough time to ask myself whether I actually want to do this. A lot of the time, the answer ends up being no. Friction is underrated as a financial tool.
Here is the thing about curbing your impulse spending: the goal is not to never buy anything. It is to make sure that when you do buy something, it was actually your choice, not just your brain chasing a dopamine hit in the home goods section.
And the blazer from Target? It went back on the rack. A few days later I found a different one at Nordstrom Rack, one that fit me so much better and felt more timeless, something I will actually wear for years instead of one season. Pausing did not cost me anything. If anything, it got me a blazer I’ll wear for years.
➡️ Does any of this sound familiar? If you have a trick for talking yourself out of (or into) a purchase, I want to hear it. Drop it in the comments.
Hi! I’m Jeannette and I help professionals ditch debt without the overwhelm and build wealth without the stress.
📞 Contact me to schedule a FREE 15 minute phone call and start to make a plan with your money.
Friendly reminder: The information shared is for educational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for financial, legal, tax, or mental health advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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