Sleep-deprived and impulse buying? How to stop spending at 2am

Is money worry keeping you up at night? If so, you're not alone. A new survey of 2,000 UK adults by Intuit Credit Karma shows one in three Brits are losing sleep over financial stress.  

And it's not just keeping us awake, it’s affecting how we spend, leading to a vicious cycle.  

Sleep-deprived and spending?  

Does buying something you don’t need when you’re tired and grumpy, or wide awake a 2am sound familiar?  

The survey shows that money worries don’t just cause sleepless nights but they can also trigger impulsive spending.  

Nearly one in five people who took part in the poll admit to splurging on things they don’t need when they’re tired. 

Must common impulse buys 

• takeaways – 15% give in to midnight cravings 

• clothes and accessories – 9% can't resist a tired scroll through shopping apps 

• new technology – 6% splash out on new gadgets 

• holidays – 6% book trips when they're sleep-deprived and need a boost 

Night owls and online banking  

If you find yourself checking your bank account in the middle of the night, you’re not the only one. 

• 21% check bank balances  

• 15% pay bills  

• 12% track expenses  

In fact, 1m Credit Karma members have logged into their accounts between midnight and 6am in just the last six months. And 9% have checked their credit scores during those restless hours. 

How to stop yourself spending at 2am?  

You can break the cycle of tired spending. Try the following:  

• Power down - turn off your phone before bed and keep it off until morning. 

• Set app limits - use your phone’s screen time settings to block shopping apps at night. For example, stop Amazon from opening between midnight and 7am.  

• Unlink your card - remove saved card details from online stores so late-night buys take more effort.  

• Follow the 24-hour rule - if you really want something, wait 24 hours. If it still feels like a smart buy the next day, go for it. 

• Find a better distraction - read a book or watch TV, just avoid the tempt to scroll. 

For peace of mind, create a budget that clearly shows what you have coming in and what you can spend. Knowing your limits gives you confidence and, hopefully, a better night’s sleep.