What is the 24-hour rule for purchases?

The 24-hour rule suggests waiting at least 24 hours before making any non-essential purchase. This delay helps reduce impulse buying by giving your rational brain time to evaluate whether you truly need the item.

How long should I wait before making a big purchase?

For purchases over 10% of your monthly income, wait at least 1-2 weeks. For major purchases (25%+ of monthly income), wait 30 days. This gives time to research alternatives, check your budget, and ensure it's not an impulse decision.

Do people regret impulse purchases?

Studies show that 64% of impulse purchases result in some level of regret. After a 30-day waiting period, only about 30% of impulse desires remain, meaning 70% of impulse purchases would have been avoided with patience.

Impulse Purchase Delay Calculator

Should you buy it now or wait? See how waiting affects your decision and what that money could become.

Purchase Details

The Purchase

Purchase Price₹

Is this a want or need?

Urgency Level1-10

Can wait forever Need it today

Your Context

Annual Income₹/yr

How long will you wait?days

Investment Comparison

Expected Investment Return%/yr

Historical index fund average: 10-12%

25 hrs

Work Hours Cost

15%

Of Monthly Income

7 days
Recommended Wait

45%

Won't Want It After

The Verdict

💰 If You Invested Instead

1 Year

₹16,800

5 Years

₹26,400

10 Years

₹46,600

20 Years

₹1,44,700

📊 If This Became a Habit

If Monthly

₹1,80,000/yr

If Weekly

₹7,80,000/yr

Monthly invested for 10 yrs

₹34,50,000

📈 Waiting Period Analysis

Wait Period	Still Want It	Saved By Waiting	Expected Savings

Desire vs Regret Over Time

Investment Growth Potential

💡 Recommendations

📝 How to Use This Calculator

1 Enter item price
2 Set waiting period (e.g., 30 Days)
3 See potential investment growth of that money
4 Decide if it's a Want or Need

🧮 Formula Used

True Cost = Price + Opportunity Cost (Interest Lost)

Helps you decide if an impulse buy is worth it by showing how much that money could grow if invested instead.

💡 Key Insights

⏰ The 30-Day Rule fixes most impulse buying habits
💰 Investing the cost of impulse buys creates wealth
📊 Opportunity cost is the real price of spending
✅ Delaying never hurts a necessary purchase