ImpulseBrake

ImpulseBrake is a mobile app + browser extension that inserts a short “cool-off” step before non-essential purchases. When you add items to a cart or tap “Buy,” it prompts a 30–120 second delay, asks one or two fast questions (need vs want, planned vs unplanned), and shows your personal “regret risk” based on past returns, abandoned carts, and category patterns. It then offers a frictionless alternative: save to a wish list with a price-drop alert, set a 7-day revisit, or cap the purchase to a preset fun-money budget. The app focuses on behavior change, not shame: lightweight prompts, clear weekly summaries, and optional accountability sharing with a partner. Realistically, it won’t stop every purchase—people can always override—but it can reduce repeat impulse spending and buyer’s remorse for users who already feel out of control.