Stacey Solomon is back with Sort Your Life Out, and if you’ve been binge-watching the new season, you’ve probably noticed one thing: people really, really hold on to stuff. Mountains of clothes, knick-knacks, gadgets – all piled up because they bought them on a whim, thought they might need them “someday,” or just didn’t know what else to do.
Watching the chaos unfold is oddly satisfying, but it’s also a clear mirror for something a lot of us struggle with: impulse spending. The same way clutter takes up physical space, unplanned purchases take up mental and financial space too.
Why We Buy on Impulse
On the show, Stacey helps families confront the emotional reasons behind their clutter. You’ll see it again and again: an old jumper bought on sale, a gadget that seemed “useful,” a cute decoration that didn’t match anything. These purchases often stem from emotions: boredom, stress, the thrill of a deal, or simply wanting to feel in control.
But one theme that comes up a lot is around parenting. Many of the families want to give their children the best life possible, and buying things can feel like a way to do that. Especially if you grew up without much, it’s natural to want your child to have a different experience.
The intention comes from a good place – love, care, wanting to provide. But what the show reveals is that more “stuff” doesn’t necessarily create more happiness. In fact, by the end of many episodes, families realise it’s not the things that matter most. It’s time together, connection, and shared experiences.
Quick, impulsive purchases might feel like it’s filling a gap in the moment, but often it just creates more clutter… physically and financially. The feeling doesn’t last, but the impact on your bank balance does.
Recognising that pattern can be powerful. When you start to see that your spending is driven by emotion rather than intention, you can begin to make choices that actually support the life you want, not just the feeling you’re chasing in the moment.
Decluttering Your Finances
Stacey’s method is simple but effective: take everything out, sort it, and keep only what serves you. You can do the same with your spending. Here’s how:
- Review your bank statements: Take a week or a month and see exactly where your money goes. Seeing it all in one place can be as eye-opening as emptying a wardrobe.
- Categorise your spending: Essentials, planned treats, and impulse buys. Knowing which is which helps you spot patterns.
- Set limits: Start a sinking fund and decide in advance how much you’ll spend on unplanned purchases.
- Pause before buying: Ask yourself, “Do I really need this? Will I use it more than 10 times?” If not, it probably doesn’t deserve a spot in your home, or on your bank statement.
- Get an accountability buddy: One of the most powerful parts of Sort Your Life Out is having someone else there to gently challenge your decisions. When you’re in it alone, everything can feel like a “need.” Having a friend, partner, or even your group chat to sense-check your purchases can help you separate wants from needs. Sometimes, an outside perspective is exactly what you need to break the impulse.
Turn Impulse Spending Into a Strategy
Here’s where a little budgeting magic comes in. One tool we love in the Financielle community is the “Impulse spending” sinking fund. The idea is simple: you allocate a small pot of money specifically for unplanned treats or fun purchases. Once that money is set aside, you naturally feel protective of it (and more intentional about what you buy).
We’ve seen this work for so many women in our community (and in our own experience too): having a designated fund means you can still enjoy those little impulses without guilt, and without derailing your bigger goals like saving for an emergency fund, a house deposit, or investing.
This is the beauty of a budget: it’s permission to spend. Knowing exactly how much you can afford to spend on yourself, while still hitting your financial goals, removes the stress from impulse buys and keeps your money working for you.
Start small: create a sinking fund just for impulse spending, decide on a weekly or monthly allowance, and watch how your spending shifts from reactive to intentional.Not sure what a sinking fund is? Check out our sinking funds guide.
