Don’t Get Tricked by Discounts!
You should spend wisely during this sale season. The festive season is here, and already you have spent more than what you had planned. You are not alone; almost 84% of shoppers make impulse purchases. 40% of eCommerce money comes from them. Menteblog will share more shocking statistics here, so keep reading!
Table of Contents
Shocking Impulse Buying Facts and Statistics:
Impulse purchases are costing consumers almost $2,000 per year
- People spend around $151 a month on impulse purchases
- Experts suggest allowing around $50–$75 per month for “controlled impulse buys” in your budget
- Shopping can trigger dopamine release, making impulse buying feel rewarding
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-to-avoid-impulse-buying/
There are certain factors that directly and indirectly fuel impulse buying. The most prominent factor is emotion. Retail therapy is truly real and people often buy stuff online to feel good and get a feeling of completeness.
What Are Primary Triggers for Impulse Buying?
Let’s break down the primary triggers one by one based on a recent research:
Emotional and Psychological Factors
- Impulse purchases often arise from emotional states like stress, low self-esteem, anxiety, or the desire for instant gratification.
- Shoppers seek immediate pleasure or relief, even when aware of possible negative outcomes. (Kumar et al., 2020; Burton et al., 2018; Gogoi & Shillong, 2020)
Store Environment and Sensory Stimuli
- Physical store factors — such as lighting, music, layout, and product displays — stimulate the senses and trigger spontaneous buying.
- Around 40% of shoppers spend more in physical stores versus 25% online, due to sensory experiences. (Moreira et al., 2017; Aragoncillo & Orús, 2018)
Advertising and Promotional Influences
- Persuasive ads, sales promotions, and visual cues create perceived urgency or value, encouraging unplanned spending.
- Advertising messages shape consumer perception and purchase intention from a young age. (Khan et al., 2019; Varadarajan, 2020)
Social and Cultural Pressure
- Desire for social approval, status enhancement, and conformity to cultural consumption norms can drive impulsive purchases.
- These social influences often override rational decision-making. (Platania et al., 2017; Varadarajan, 2020)
Personality and Cognitive Control
- Individuals with low self-control or high impulsivity are more prone to act on buying urges.
- Personality traits like compulsiveness, anxiety, and negative mood amplify impulsive behavior. (Pandya & Pandya, 2020; Sheth, 2020)
How to Stop Impulse Purchases
Impulse buying feels good at the moment, but it often leads to regret, clutter, and money wasted on things you don’t really need. Here are five effective ways to take control of your spending habits:
Follow the 24-Hour (or 48-Hour) Rule
When you see something you want to buy on impulse, don’t buy it immediately. Instead, wait at least 24 hours — or even 48 hours for more expensive items. This cooling-off period helps you differentiate between want and need. Most often, the initial excitement fades, and you realize you didn’t truly need the product after all.
Always Shop with a List — and Stick to It
Before heading to a store or browsing an online marketplace, make a list of what you actually need. This acts as your roadmap and keeps you from wandering into unnecessary purchases. Check your list before checkout — if it’s not on it, don’t buy it. Over time, this simple habit builds mindful discipline around spending.
Avoid Emotional or “Boredom” Shopping
People often shop impulsively to cope with stress, loneliness, or boredom — a phenomenon known as retail therapy. Recognize these emotional triggers and find alternative ways to manage them: go for a walk, call a friend, or engage in a hobby. Shopping should never be a mood regulator; it’s a financial decision, not an emotional escape.
Unsubscribe from Temptation Triggers
Retailers are experts at creating urgency through flash sales, email alerts, and push notifications. Unsubscribe from marketing emails, unfollow shopping pages on social media, and turn off sale notifications. Reducing these visual and emotional triggers makes it far easier to resist buying things you don’t need.
Set a “Fun Money” Budget
Completely cutting off all unplanned spending can feel restrictive and unrealistic. Instead, create a small “fun money” allowance each month — say 5–10% of your income — to spend freely without guilt. This gives you the joy of spontaneous buying within safe boundaries and keeps your larger budget intact.
Conclusion
Impulse purchases may seem harmless at first, but small unplanned purchases can quietly drain thousands from your yearly budget. Understanding what triggers these urges — emotions, advertising, social pressure, or the thrill of discounts — is the first step toward control. By setting clear budgets, avoiding emotional shopping, and practicing mindfulness, you can turn spending into a conscious choice rather than a reflex. Remember, saving isn’t about restricting joy; it’s about aligning your money with what truly adds value to your life. The next time a sale tempts you, pause and ask — “Do I need this, or do I just want it right now?” That one question can protect your wallet and strengthen your self-control.|
If you liked this blog, you will love this one- How to Be Happy Again?- 5 Science-Backed Practical Tips for You!