How to Stop Impulse Buying

How to Stop Impulse Buying
Hiranmayi Srinivasan
© Provided by Real Simple
Poike
As fun and relaxing as Hollywood makes retail therapy look, the reality is not all that glamorous. A 2018 survey commissioned by discount shopping site Slickdeals found that Americans spend an average of $450 on impulse purchases per month—that adds up to $5,400 per year. The pandemic isn't helping either—Slickdeals' 2020 survey found that impulse spending increased 18 percent last year.
Impulse buying is mostly emotional, and usually the result of some form of emotional distress. This could be issues around self-esteem, anxiety, sadness, or even boredom. "Impulse buying gives us a little spike of dopamine, which is rewarding and motivating," says Alexandra Emery, licensed psychologist at Grit City Psychology in Seattle. Dr. Emery recommends checking in with yourself before making a spontaneous purchase to see if you're suppressing any negative emotions. Retail therapy might make you feel better in the moment, but the feeling can quickly wear off once you realize that you have gone over your budget. We tell ourselves that we deserve to buy something or that we've earned it, but make sure it's not self-care disguised as self-harm, says Marter. "It's not really self-care if they are accruing credit card debt, or putting themselves in financial stress by overspending."

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