Inspiration

Scrolling through TikTok or Instagram, we've all felt the urge to buy something instantly — a gadget, a trending product, or a shiny new item we never knew we "needed." That impulse often leads to regret, clutter, or wasted money. We wanted to build something that could pause the impulse, just for a moment, and empower people to make smarter decisions — all from a single prompt.

What it does

WiseBuy is a mobile app that helps users decide whether a product they just saw on social media is a good buy — or just an emotional impulse. Users type the name or description of the product, then swipe through 8 quick, gamified questions. Based on their responses, the app delivers a smart verdict: Impulse Buy or Justified Purchase, along with motivational advice, real pros and cons, and even cheaper or sustainable alternatives. It’s quick, fun, and designed to bring mindfulness into the shopping experience — in less than a minute.

How we built it

WiseBuy was built entirely from a single prompt using the Bolt platform. We defined the prompt to handle logic, UX flow, question generation, and visual design in one go. The app uses swipeable card UI, dynamic question logic, and a responsive verdict screen with behavioral nudges. We used built-in GPT reasoning to generate recommendations and simulate psychological decision-making.

Challenges we ran into

One challenge was keeping the UI consistent and centered on mobile devices — as users advanced through questions, elements would visually drift. We had to refine layout instructions to lock cards in place and maintain clean alignment. Another challenge was balancing tone: we wanted it to feel playful and familiar (like TikTok), without becoming too casual to lose its purpose.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We're proud of creating an app that is genuinely useful — and actually fun to use — with just one prompt. WiseBuy delivers a real-world solution to a modern problem in a clean, accessible format. It can help people of all ages build better habits and save money, and it looks and feels like a polished product.

What we learned

We learned that with the right structure and intention, it's possible to create deeply functional and emotionally resonant tools using just a single prompt. We also saw how design and microcopy play a major role in shaping user behavior and emotional response.

What's next for WiseBuy – Buy Smarter. Regret Less

We want to integrate real-time price comparison APIs, track previous decisions, and allow users to "bookmark" products they’re considering. We also plan to offer a minimalist homescreen widget with a 24-hour countdown timer and reminders to revisit potential purchases. Long term, WiseBuy could evolve into a personal finance assistant focused on mindful spending.

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