What Is Impulse Buying?

• Impulse buying refers to unplanned purchases driven by external triggers like sales, ads, or seeing an item in person or online.
• Example: Adding a candy bar at checkout or buying an air fryer during a Target trip.

Why Do We Impulse Buy?

• Triggered by:
• Sales, discounts, or "lightning deals."
• Seeing items on social media, in stores, or with friends.
• FOMO (fear of missing out) encouraged by apps and deals.

Impulse Buying vs. Compulsive Shopping

• Impulse Buying: Occasional and driven by external factors.
• Compulsive Shopping: Habitual, self-soothing behavior triggered by internal emotions.
• Signs of compulsive shopping:
  • Shopping despite debt.
  • Harming relationships through spending.
  • Accumulating unused items or hiding purchases.

Concerned about compulsive shopping? Seek support from a therapist, financial coach, or support group.

5 Ways to Limit Impulse Buying

• Stick to a List
• Plan purchases ahead.

• If it’s not on the list, wait until tomorrow to reassess.

• Pause Before Buying

• Delay purchase decisions by walking away or waiting 24 hours.

• Often, the desire fades after reflection.

• Remove Online Shopping Convenience

• Avoid saving payment info with retailers.

• Move shopping apps off your phone’s home screen.

• Reflect on Shopping Triggers

• Identify emotional or situational patterns (e.g., late-night Instagram scrolling).

• Use tools like Screen Time or Digital Wellbeing to limit app access.

• Replace Emotional Shopping with Free Activities

• Find non-shopping ways to cope with emotions, like walking, calling a friend, or journaling.

Important:

• Curbing impulse buying is about reflection, intentionality, and self-compassion.
• Understand that “there’s no way to be perfect around money,” so progress is better than perfection.
• Small habits like sticking to a list or pausing purchases can lead to long-term savings and reduced financial stress.

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