How to Avoid the Impulse Spending Factors that Always Trap You

Everyone has done it, an impulse buy. And yes, some of us struggle to control that urge more than others. Unsurprisingly, there are common impulse spending factors that cause you to repeat this slip over and over.

What is not given enough thought is how we have the ability to recognize those factors. And, once we do that, we can change our approach. But, first we have to know what these traps look like.

The Main Factors that Drive Impulse Spending

These elements that drive us to buy things on random can be stand alone or compound on each other. Ultimately we have to recognize which ones we are most vulnerable to and take action to reduce the chance that we will fall victim again.

Strong Emotions

People often shop when they feel stressed, sad, or bored. Buying something new gives a quick boost of happy brain chemicals like dopamine. This temporary joy masks your negative emotions for a short time.

The Fix

First, we have to have enough self-awareness to realize that we are in an elevated emotional state. If this is something you struggle with personally, the goal is to improve self-awareness so the self-control can follow.

Once we are able to better decide what our emotional state is we can reflect on that to make better decisions for ourselves.  Before buying anything when you feel emotional try to wait 24 hours before deciding. 

To improve your mood without a new item, use free ways to boost it, like going for a walk or calling a friend. This gives your brain time to calm down and regulate before you start spending in a way that is not helpful to you.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Limited-time sales make items feel rare and urgent. If it's something you are on the fence about buying this factor of FOMO can tip you over the edge into impulse spending.

Companies use this pressure to cause us to act before thinking through the decision. Before we know it we are walking out of the store with something we didn’t really need. Especially not that urgently.

The Fix

Unless it is something you specifically went shopping for, remind yourself that another sale will always happen later. And maybe you're someone who likes to browse through marketing emails. Go ahead and change your subscription options so you won’t see them so often.

When you go shopping, only shop for what you intend to buy. Don’t let yourself walk into a store without a clear plan of what you’re going in there for. And, if an item is truly important, you can buy it at full price later. Or, wait for another sale to come around.

Easy Digital Payments is a Strong Impulse Spending Factor

Saved credit cards and one-click checkouts make buying effortless. When paying requires zero effort, that time to pause and reconsider disappears. Yes, it’s very convenient but it's also the perfect trap that drives impulse spending.

The Fix

If you struggle with online purchases a lot it may be time to entirely remove your card info from those company’s apps. Also remember to clear your browser autofill so you’ve reset your payment process completely.

Now, when you feel that urge to buy something, you can’t without putting more effort in. You'll not only have more of a pause moment, you also have to choose if finding the card then entering the info worth it.

Targeted Advertisements

Social media apps track your interests to show you personally relevant products. If they know what you’re viewing, they know what they can sell you. Companies will use that insight to increase their chances of gaining a customer.

Since most of us are using social media a lot, it is easy for us to see the same ad multiple times. This can build our attention and desire to buy that item. Then it is as easy as clicking the ad and getting it delivered in no time.

The Fix

Although a bit out of the way, take the time to go through your phone and app settings and make some changes. Turn off personalized ads in your social media accounts and browser settings. 

This and using ad blockers can prevent tempting products from popping up in your feed. Fewer triggers mean fewer opportunities to spend money that you have no real reason to spend. 

Social Comparison is a Factor that Drives Impulse Spending

People naturally compare their lifestyle to friends or influencers. Whether we spot something that is our style or like to be current in our appearance and accessories, this is a huge factor that drives impulse spending.

The Fix

Unfollow any social media accounts that give you that urge to splurge. If you randomly see something from social media while in a store, think of where you originally saw it and why you want it so badly. 

Taking a moment to slow down and recognize the desire to fit in and the natural comparisons can help you redirect your thoughts. Focus on your own financial goals rather than matching someone else's lifestyle. Remember to measure your success by your savings, not by staying trendy or owning the “right” things.

Decision Fatigue

During the day you’re making hundreds of choices. Whether you realize it or not, these small decisions wear down your mental clarity. Over time making choices become less about the practical one and more about the easy one. 

Waiting to do shopping or browse online stores later in the day is an easy way to trap yourself in impulse spending. Your ability to reflect on that whim to buy something at that point in the day can be nearly non-existent. 

The Fix

Avoid browsing online stores or shopping late at night when you are tired. You can even choose settings that restrict app access after a certain time of day so you can’t even open them. 

Also, decide to make financial choices only during the morning or early afternoon. Setting a purchase cut-off time is helpful. Your willpower is strongest when your mind is well-rested and usually that new item could wait to be bought tomorrow anyway.

Final Thoughts on Avoiding the Impulse Spending Factors that Always Trap You

As you realize just how harmful impulse buys are to your financial success, the desire for change becomes real. When you understand what factors are most likely to drive you to buy new stuff you can make those changes happen.

Whether you struggle with all or none of these factors, knowing what actions you can take to reduce random purchases is a powerful tool. Take the time to put those things in place that allow you to be the most successful. Not only in how money serves you but also how it serves what is important to you.

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