Online Attribute to Impulsive Spending

Hoarding may include challenges with spending which is called acquisitions or avoiding throwing things out.  Online spending is a challenge with people hoard, who using spending to manage emotions or challenges with managing impulsive behaviour. 

Purchases may be planned or unplanned, however purchasing goods online can influence impulsive behaviour as there is a lack of deterrents that can help with managing impulsive behaviour and planning.  People often go online to buy a planned item and then spend more than expected.  Sometimes items are grouped to influence more spending. Conscious decision making require the ability to step back and reflect.  Moreover, stimulus can influence behaviour for online purchasing.  Stimulus may include special deals which can cause the cognitive bias of fear of missing out. 

Research shows the group shopping such as Groupon and unfamiliar brands influence impulse spending and can be a challenge for a consumer who struggles with impulsive spending, hoarding or emotional control.  To increase online spending retailers limit physical stores, reduce mental and time effort when spending and improve the shopping experience.  To reduce online spending, the consumer would need to create a strategy where more time is required when spending and the fear of missing out is reduced by realising it is an illusion.  When spending online, have someone with you to talk through the process so you can think while talking, take your time and think about the purchase, don't spend online if you are emotional but work through your emotions by contacting a helpline, writing in a journal or talking to a friend.  Make a habit not to let specials influence your behaviour as there is no such thing as missing out on anything. 

Furthermore, you may have a separate bank account that don't charge a fee for online spending and automatically deposit a portion of your income into that account to manage impulsive spending and online spending in general.  Decision making also requires talking through the process, so talk to a family member or friend to discuss your strategy as that can help with reflection and improving your capacity to decide rationally. 

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