Sunsplashing: Shoppers spend £345 on impulse summer buys, on average – with one in five later regretting their purchases

"When the weather suddenly heats up it's easy to convince yourself that a fan, paddling pool, or new BBQ is an essential purchase. But these impulse buys can quickly add up, especially when several hot spells happen over the course of a summer.

“Before buying, try applying the 24 hour rule. Waiting even 24 hours before making a purchase helps you decide whether it's something you genuinely need or simply want. After that time, then it’s worth doing three things.

“Firstly, check to see if you could borrow the item from a friend, family or neighbour. It’s worth asking on local Facebook or What’sApp groups. The chances are, one of them may have a paddling pool that’s not being used and collecting dust in a shed.

“Next, see if you can buy the item second-hand. Check Vinted or local eBay listings and Facebook groups to see if anyone is selling what you need.

“Finally, if you’ve not been able to get it for free or cheap then always compare prices. Use Google Shopping or Idealo to find the cheapest price online. Then see if you can use a discount voucher or cashback to get money off before you pay full price. You might even be able to use loyalty points to get the item for cheaper or even free.

“Before you start browsing, set yourself a maximum budget. Shopping without a price limit makes it easier to trade up to a more expensive model or add extras you hadn't planned to buy. Try moving only the amount you can afford into a separate spending pot and don’t go over it.

“Think about cost per use too. Remember to factor in delivery charges, batteries, accessories and running costs rather than looking only at the price on the shelf.

“Try not to pay a “heatwave premium”. Popular summer products can sell out or become more expensive when temperatures suddenly rise. Check the normal selling price using an online price-history tool and avoid paying extra for express delivery unless you genuinely need it immediately. If you know you'll need something next year, look for it in end-of-summer clearance sales.

“Before buying another cooling gadget, make the most of what you already have. Closing curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day, opening windows once the temperature drops and freezing bottles of water to place in front of a fan may help you stay comfortable without spending much.

“For expensive items that will only be used occasionally, consider sharing the cost with family, friends or neighbours. A BBQ, paddling-pool pump or gazebo could be shared between several households instead of everyone buying and storing their own.

“Be wary of using buy now, pay later or credit for an impulse summer purchase. Spreading the payments can make an item feel cheaper, but it still has to fit within your budget once the weather has cooled down. If you couldn't comfortably afford to buy it outright, pause before committing.

“And don’t let a discount persuade you to buy something you weren't planning to purchase. Cashback, voucher codes and loyalty points only save you money if you were going to buy the item anyway.”