I Tried the “48” Rule to Curb My Spending — And Saved $550 in a Month

I go through phases with spending. Some weeks, I’m a model of frugality, proudly meal-prepping and resisting every urge to impulse shop. Other times, I’m rationalizing a $90 serum because a beauty influencer with impossibly dewy skin swears it changed her life. Emotional spending is my Achilles’ heel — especially after a stressful workday or when I’m excited for an upcoming trip. I’m also a victim of my social media algorithm and how well it knows me.

There are at least five items in my home right now that felt like “meant to be” purchases at the time — like the chic, retro lava lamp that now lives in a dusty bedroom corner because, plot twist, it overheats and makes me nervous. Or the much-hyped $98 Lululemon yoga mat that, while stunning, weighs 5 pounds and is wildly impractical for my NYC commute.

So when I came across the 48-hour spending rule — a technique where you wait two full days before buying something nonessential — I figured it was worth a shot. I was hopeful it would not only help me save but also encourage a shift toward more values-based, mindful spending.

The 48-hour rule is simple: Any time you want to buy something that isn’t essential (so not groceries, toiletries, or subscriptions you already use), you add it to a list and then wait 48 hours. No clicking “Add to Cart,” no swiping Apple Pay. Just … wait.

Financial adviser and fractional CFO Joe DiSanto explains the appeal: “When you’re buying things, you get a rush. And when you’re online, the feedback loop is so fast, it’s even more addictive.” The 48-hour rule, he says, breaks that cycle, giving your brain time to catch up with your bank account.

“We often make impulsive purchases when our central nervous systems aren’t regulated,” says Jen Lawrence, an expert in both finance and the psychology of money. “Waiting 48 hours gives you the space to see if you’re buying something because you truly want it or because you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired.” Plus, it nudges you toward values-based spending, which is all about making purchases that align with your priorities, not just your passing moods.

I decided to try the 48-hour rule for a full month. I tracked each “want” in my Notes app with the item name, price, and why I wanted it. (Essentials — groceries, toiletries, Netflix, my beloved Adobe subscription — were off the table.)

One of the first things I jotted down was a $50 Yeti water bottle. I had convinced myself I needed it because I’d lost the straw for my old Owala bottle and, in the absence of said straw, mold had begun to grow where it used to sit. Gross, yes — but was it enough to justify buying yet another water bottle? I already had several bottles collecting dust. Still, I rationalized the purchase in my head. It was a health thing. It was a self-care thing.

But after 48 hours, the urgency faded, and I saw the situation for what it was: a fixable problem, not a reason to spend. Instead of checking out my cart, I ordered a replacement straw (for a few bucks) and gave my Owala a proper scrub. Crisis averted.

Funny enough, this water bottle dilemma ended up prompting a whole conversation in my group chat. Apparently, I wasn’t alone. Two of my friends were also dealing with moldy Owalas and had been debating buying new ones, too. We traded cleaning hacks, shared where to get spare parts, and had a good laugh over how we all wanted to buy another in their new colorway. That moment made me realize how often spending can be reactive. But when you press pause, you give yourself a chance to make a more grounded decision. 

I went through a similar thought process when considering a trendy, office-appropriate top I found at a discount store. Although it fit well and I adored the pattern, I work remotely, so I didn’t really need it. Two days later, I was over it.

In total, I logged about a dozen “almost” purchases, ranging from home decor to workout gear. Some, I still thought about after the waiting period. But in most cases, the urge faded. The 48-hour rule didn’t erase my wants, but it helped me zoom out and ask: Do I really need this? Will I use it? Is it worth the cost and the clutter?

One of the most unexpected parts of this experiment was how it changed the way I shopped. Online shopping is so solitary these days — you see, you click, it shows up. But waiting 48 hours gave me time to ask for second opinions. I texted friends. I called my mom. I turned purchases into conversations, and those conversations often became my reality check.

Because I was waiting to make purchases, I naturally started talking about them more. I’d mention things to friends in group chats (“Do I need this nightstand that looks like a mushroom or am I spiraling?”) or ask my parents whether a certain gadget actually seemed useful. These casual check-ins brought back the communal feel of going to the mall with your friends and getting their take before buying anything.

Coming off a recent weight-loss journey (I started walking 20,000 steps a day!), my “want” list was full of fitness and wellness products. My TikTok “For You” page was feeding me nonstop home gym content. Suddenly, I felt like I needed a $250 Apple Watch to track my steps and heart rate. Normally, I’d just go for it, justify it as a fitness investment, and hit “Buy Now.” But instead, I brought it up to my dad in passing. He told me he had an old Fitbit collecting dust that he could pass on to me. And just like that, I saved $250, gained a tool that I actually use daily, and shared a moment that felt much richer than a two-day shipping confirmation ever could.

The 48-hour rule reminded me that sometimes I shop to feel connected, seen, or cared for. Talking through my spending impulses with people who know me made me feel those things without ever opening my wallet.

This experience reminded me that spending mindfully doesn’t mean never spending. It means spending better. I didn’t feel deprived — I felt in control. My apartment stayed a little tidier, and I started appreciating things I already owned (like the lava lamp, which I now use occasionally and safely).

I’ll definitely keep using the 48-hour rule — maybe not with every single purchase, but definitely for anything over $40. It’s a low-effort, high-impact way to build more intention into a part of life that can so easily run on autopilot.