Business & Politics · 4 Beginner · August 28, 2026
How to Stop Buying Things Late at Night
Photo: Tara Winstead via Pexels
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Vocabulary
addiction/əˈdɪkʃən/noun
doing something too much because you cannot stop
His addiction to shopping made him spend all his money.
impulse/ˈɪmpʌls/noun
a sudden want to do something without thinking
She had an impulse to buy the dress, but she did not need it.
susceptible/səˈsɛptəbəl/adjective
easy to influence or affect by something
Young people are susceptible to online ads.
tired/ˈtaɪərd/adjective
feeling like you need sleep; not having energy
I was tired, so I made a bad choice.
credit card/ˈkrɛdɪt kɑrd/noun
a plastic card you use to buy things now and pay later
She left her credit card at home so she could not shop.
save/seɪv/verb
to keep money and not spend it
He saves money every month for a holiday.
Article
One woman spent seven hundred pounds every month. She bought things late at night. She did not need these things. Now she stopped. She tells her story.
The Problem
Late at night, many people want to buy things. They use their phones or computers. They click and buy. They do not think. The next day, they feel bad. Young people do this more than older people.
Why This Happens
At night, we are tired. Tired people make bad choices. We see ads online. The ads look nice. We think we need these things. But we do not. We just want them.
How to Stop
Here are some ways to help. First, do not use your phone at night. Second, leave your credit card in another room. Third, wait one day before you buy. Ask yourself: Do I really want this? Usually, the answer is no.
Small Changes Work
The woman changed one thing. She did not shop after nine at night. Now she spends much less money. She feels happy. She saves money for important things. You can do this too.
Discussion Questions
Do you ever buy things late at night? What do you buy?
Why do you think people buy more things when they are tired?
Which idea from the article will help you the most?
How much money do you think you can save each month?
What is one good way to stop buying things you do not need?