8 simple rules to follow if you want to stop regretting your purchases

We’ve all been there. You click “buy now” or tap your card, feeling that little surge of excitement—only for it to fade into a quiet ugh a few days later.

Maybe the product isn’t as good as it looked online. Maybe it’s just sitting in a drawer. Or maybe you didn’t really need it in the first place.

I’ve been there too—both in my personal life and back when I worked in luxury hospitality.

I’d order rare ingredients for some elaborate menu idea, convinced it was genius. And sometimes it was. Other times…let’s just say the bin ate better than the guests.

Over the years, I’ve built a set of rules that have saved me from both wasted truffles and wasted cash.

If you want to cut down on buyer’s remorse and keep more purchases in the “worth it” column, here’s where to start.

1. Sleep on it

Impulse buying is fun in the moment, but it’s also the biggest culprit for regret.

That’s why I have a simple rule: if it’s not something I planned to buy, I wait at least 24 hours before deciding.

Turns out there’s science behind this. A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that delaying consumption—especially when it’s something pleasurable—can actually increase enjoyment when you finally get it.

The pause gives you space to weigh the pros and cons without the emotional rush.

I’ve lost count of how many purchases have faded from “must-have” to “meh” in just a day. That’s how you know it’s not worth it.

2. Define your value categories

Here’s the truth: you can’t buy everything without regret—but you can buy certain things guilt-free. You just need to know what they are for you.

For me, it’s three categories: great food, comfortable shoes, and travel. I can spend freely there because those purchases consistently bring me joy and value.

But I’ve also learned my weak spots—kitchen gadgets that get used once, clothes that look good in the shop but not in real life.

Knowing your “worth it” categories is like having a personal budget compass. It keeps you from scattering money in places that won’t make you happy in the long run.

3. Run a quick cost audit—beyond the price

That $300 espresso machine isn’t just $300. It’s also beans, filters, cleaning supplies, counter space, and a bit of guilt if it ends up as a dust collector.

Economists call this the total cost of ownership—factoring in not just the sticker price but everything you’ll spend and sacrifice to keep it working.

I learned this the hard way with a high-end Japanese knife. Gorgeous piece of work. But I didn’t factor in the cost (and time) for proper sharpening tools.

It lived in a drawer for months before I got around to using it. Lesson learned.

4. Pay like you’re in cash

One reason online shopping is so addictive? You never actually feel the money leaving your hands.

I try to counter that by imagining I’m handing over actual cash—even if I’m tapping a card. There’s research to back this up: studies show people spend less, and choose more wisely, when they pay in cash or make the payment feel more tangible.

That tiny mental trick makes me pause just long enough to ask, “Is this really worth it?” And sometimes, the answer is no.

5. Imagine six months in the future

Before I hit “buy,” I picture myself six months from now.

Is the item still in use? Still making me happy? Or is it crammed in a closet behind something else I thought was a good idea?

This simple exercise works because it forces you to switch from short-term emotion to long-term value. Your future self is usually more practical than your present self—and way less impulsive.

It’s like a built-in filter that catches the purchases you’d only love for a week.

6. Learn from what you’ve regretted

Here’s a game-changer: I keep a simple note on my phone with major purchases. Every three months, I give each one a verdict: “worth it,” “meh,” or “regret.”

Patterns appear fast. You start seeing which types of purchases consistently deliver and which ones always end in disappointment.

Over time, you naturally buy fewer of the regret category.

This simple habit makes it easier to spot your spending patterns and avoid repeating past mistakes.

7. Remember the marshmallow (and its caveats)

You’ve probably heard of the Stanford marshmallow experiment: kids who resisted eating one marshmallow right away and waited for two were said to have better life outcomes.

Later studies showed the results were more complicated, but the core takeaway is still useful—delaying gratification is a skill that can help you make better choices.

Think of holding off on impulse purchases as your own personal marshmallow test. The more you practice waiting, the better your long-term results.

8. Anticipate the (deceptively) satisfying thrill of waiting

Here’s a funny thing: sometimes the best part of buying something is before it arrives. A Time article points out that the anticipation of waiting for an online order can actually boost happiness—tracking the package, imagining using it, that whole “Christmas morning” vibe.

The trick? Make sure that excitement is tied to something meaningful. Otherwise, you risk riding the high of anticipation…and then crashing into regret once the box is open.

Conclusion

Avoiding purchase regret isn’t about never buying anything. It’s about making sure your purchases are intentional, aligned with your values, and built to bring joy long after the novelty fades.

So next time temptation strikes, slow down. Sleep on it. Picture your future self using (or ignoring) it. And if it passes those tests, go ahead and enjoy it—guilt-free.

Your bank account and your peace of mind will both be better for it.