Sales-induced spending: Uncovering why people splurge during discounts and strategies for self-control
In the age of one-click checkout and constant online sales, it's easier than ever to make impulse purchases. However, research from Cornell University reveals a concerning trend: one-click checkout users spend nearly 30% more on average, placing 43% more orders and buying 36% more items than before [1]. This seemingly harmless convenience could be leading to a vicious cycle of overspending, debt accumulation, and financial stress.
The impact of uncontrolled shopping habits extends beyond personal finances. From a well-being perspective, the behavior contributes to stress and decision fatigue, as bargain hunting requires continuous effort and can overwhelm cognitive resources [1]. Excess purchases also result in physical clutter that contributes to psychological overwhelm and resistance to positive changes at home [1].
Regarding mental health, compulsive or habitual buying can be a manifestation of deeper psychological issues, such as anxiety, emotional instability, or impulse control problems [1][2]. It may prevent people from developing healthier coping strategies, trapping them in a cycle where buying is an attempt to relieve emotional distress but ultimately worsens it [1]. Habitual wasteful spending is also noted as a red flag for potential mental illnesses like bipolar disorder [2].
Research even suggests that impulse buying tendencies can be reduced through neurocognitive interventions, indicating that the behavior is linked to cognitive control mechanisms [3].
Here's a breakdown of the long-term effects of uncontrolled shopping:
- Personal Finances: Overspending, debt accumulation, financial anxiety/shame
- Well-Being: Stress, decision fatigue, psychological overwhelm, clutter
- Mental Health: Compulsive buying cycles, emotional instability, possible indication of mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder)
To mitigate these effects, practical recommendations include making strict shopping lists, setting sale-specific budgets, allowing delay time before purchases, and avoiding marketing temptations like emails to reduce compulsive urges [1].
While occasional sales shopping can be harmless, uncontrolled habits during major sales events risk serious detrimental effects across finances, mental well-being, and overall health. As Alison Soltani warns, "buying something just because it's discounted is still spending, not saving" [1]. So, the next time you're tempted to click that one-click checkout, pause and consider whether you really need that item or if it's just a fleeting desire.
References:
[1] Soltani, A. (2021). The Psychology of Shopping: How Retailers Trigger Impulse Buying. Psychology Today.
[2] Kareem, D. S. (2019). Compulsive Buying Behavior: An Overview. Journal of Behavioral Addictions.
[3] Glynn, C. (2020). Strategies for Managing Impulse Buying. Conscious Finance Coaching.
- In the era of quick online purchases, individuals might unknowingly escalate their spending by 30%, increasing order frequency by 43% and item count by 36%, potentially leading to a vicious cycle of debt accumulation and financial stress [1].
- From a well-being standpoint, excessive shopping contributes to stress and decision fatigue, depleting cognitive resources through relentless bargain hunting and causing psychological overwhelm due to accumulated clutter [1].
- Compulsive or habitual shopping can unmask deeper psychological concerns such as anxiety, emotional instability, or impulse control issues [1][2]. It can hinder the formation of healthier coping strategies, trapping individuals in cycles where shopping becomes a substitute for emotional solace, ultimately worsening their distress [1].
- Research suggests that the tendency to give in to impulse buying can be mitigated through neurocognitive interventions, hinting at a connection between impulse control and cognitive function [3].
- To safeguard personal finances, well-being, and mental health, measured shopping strategies include creating shopping lists, setting sale-specific budgets, implementing delay periods before purchases, and refraining from marketing temptations like emails to diminish compulsive urges [1].
- Engaging in impulse buying during major sales events could incur long-term detrimental effects, impacting finances, mental well-being, and overall health. As a reminder, snagging discounted items is still spending, not saving [1]. Thus, before giving in to that one-click checkout, contemplate whether the purchase is truly essential or if it stemmed from a passing whim.
