I Tried the 48-Hour Rule for a Month—Here's How I Saved Money

A commerce writer shares how the 48-hour rule helped her avoid impulse purchases.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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As a commerce writer, the author is often tempted by social media ads and one-click shopping. To save money in 2026, she decided to try the 48-hour rule, which involves waiting two days before making any non-essential purchases. The author found that after 48 hours, she had forgotten about or changed her mind on most of the items she had considered buying, ultimately saving around $300 that month.

Why it matters

Impulse shopping can lead to financial strain, guilt, and unnecessary clutter. The 48-hour rule is a simple strategy that encourages more intentional spending by allowing the initial excitement or urgency to fade before making a purchase decision.

The details

The author, who works as a commerce writer, started practicing the 48-hour rule a few weeks ago. Whenever she was tempted to buy something non-essential, like workout sets, claw clips, earrings, or a new water bottle, she would jot down the item but wait 48 hours before deciding whether to actually purchase it. After the two-day period, she found that she had forgotten about or changed her mind on almost every item, ultimately saving around $300 that month.

  • The author started practicing the 48-hour rule a few weeks ago.
  • After 48 hours, the author still wanted a few items on her list, like a curly hair product and a pair of dark jeans.

The players

Alyssa Gautieri

The author of the article, who works as a senior gifts editor at Good Housekeeping.

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What they’re saying

“If you total up everything I didn't buy, I saved about $300 this month—and that's girl math.”

— Alyssa Gautieri, Senior Gifts Editor (Good Housekeeping)

What’s next

The author plans to continue using the 48-hour rule to make more intentional purchasing decisions and save money.

The takeaway

The 48-hour rule is a simple but effective strategy to avoid impulse purchases and encourage more mindful spending. By waiting two days before buying non-essential items, consumers can make more rational decisions and ultimately save money.