Yusra3
VIP Contributor
Mindlessly scrolling Instagram or Facebook and encountering glossy snapshots of experiences, items and services can ignite serious spend envy. Social media inherently showcases people putting their best foot forward. But letting curated posts drive feelings of inadequacy that send you straight to online shopping carts requires awareness. Arm yourself against overspending triggers with these five tips:
Recognize Airbrushed Reality
Before hitting that “Buy” button, pause and remember that social media offers carefully cultivated illusions. People post their highlight reels, not everyday mundane moments. Lavish vacations, cutting edge tech and indulgent meals likely don’t reflect daily realities. Don’t take posts at face value to the bank.
Limit Browsing Windows
If certain accounts send you on habitual shopping sprees afterwards, consider actually unfollowing or muting those top inciters for a period of time. You can always refollow later. Be honest about who influences you negatively and don’t hesitate establishing boundaries with their content.
Ask ‘Do I Really Need This?’
That shiny new gadget or designer item grazing your feed may bring momentary excitement. But before mindlessly making purchases, ask yourself realistically if the product satisfies an actual need or merely stokes wants. Don’t spend just to mimic what surfaces socially.
Wait 48 Hours on Big Buys
The thrill of a coveted item feels most intense immediately after you discover it. But that’s when judgement can get clouded. For bigger purchases, impose a 48 hour mandatory waiting period between spotting something online and actually buying. This builds in essential cool down time.
Incentivize Real Life, Not Likes
Instead of expending money trying to recreate #goals vacation moments purely for social clout, put that cash towards building memories offline. Plan local weekend trips, concerts, spa visits or whatever uniquely feeds YOUR soul, not the algorithm. Measure life satisfaction beyond likes.
Yes, grass may look greener on social media. But water your own lawn instead of just envying others. Mute accounts providing unhealthy comparisons and ask hard questions before purchases. Share intentionally too by spotlighting genuine joy offline. Your wallet and wellbeing will thank you.
Recognize Airbrushed Reality
Before hitting that “Buy” button, pause and remember that social media offers carefully cultivated illusions. People post their highlight reels, not everyday mundane moments. Lavish vacations, cutting edge tech and indulgent meals likely don’t reflect daily realities. Don’t take posts at face value to the bank.
Limit Browsing Windows
If certain accounts send you on habitual shopping sprees afterwards, consider actually unfollowing or muting those top inciters for a period of time. You can always refollow later. Be honest about who influences you negatively and don’t hesitate establishing boundaries with their content.
Ask ‘Do I Really Need This?’
That shiny new gadget or designer item grazing your feed may bring momentary excitement. But before mindlessly making purchases, ask yourself realistically if the product satisfies an actual need or merely stokes wants. Don’t spend just to mimic what surfaces socially.
Wait 48 Hours on Big Buys
The thrill of a coveted item feels most intense immediately after you discover it. But that’s when judgement can get clouded. For bigger purchases, impose a 48 hour mandatory waiting period between spotting something online and actually buying. This builds in essential cool down time.
Incentivize Real Life, Not Likes
Instead of expending money trying to recreate #goals vacation moments purely for social clout, put that cash towards building memories offline. Plan local weekend trips, concerts, spa visits or whatever uniquely feeds YOUR soul, not the algorithm. Measure life satisfaction beyond likes.
Yes, grass may look greener on social media. But water your own lawn instead of just envying others. Mute accounts providing unhealthy comparisons and ask hard questions before purchases. Share intentionally too by spotlighting genuine joy offline. Your wallet and wellbeing will thank you.
