⌁ unbought Try the 24-hour hold

A small pause for a tempting buy

Give the urge
one day.

The 24-hour rule helps impulse shoppers put a little space between wanting something and paying for it.

Try the 24-hour hold

Free to start. No account needed.

YOUR WANT LISTONE DAY LATER
New headphones$180
Held for 24 hoursSkipped
Room in your budget$180
Illustrative example. A price counts as kept only after you choose “Skipped.”

What is the 24-hour rule?

When a non-essential purchase catches your eye, write down the item and its price. Wait a full day before deciding. When the hold ends, ask whether you still want it and whether it fits your budget.

The pause is the point. You do not have to talk yourself out of every purchase or feel bad for buying something you still value.

Try it in three steps

  1. Save the temptation.Write down what it is and what it costs, before checkout.
  2. Let a day pass.Keep the item on your list. No need to keep reopening the store page.
  3. Choose again.Buy it if it still makes sense, or skip it and count the listed price as money kept.

When the rule helps most

Use it for wants that feel urgent in the moment: a flash sale, a late-night cart, or a gadget you had not planned to buy. For essentials or time-sensitive replacements, use your judgment and do not let a timer get in the way.

Make the pause easier

Put the item somewhere you can review later instead of relying on memory. Unbought keeps the item and its price on your device, starts a 24-hour timer, and lets you mark the decision when you are ready.

Try the 24-hour hold

See how Unbought counts money kept or compare plans.