We’ve all been there—scrolling through social media or strolling through a store when something unexpected catches our eye: a new gadget, flash sale or “treat yourself” moment. Before we know it, we’ve made a purchase we didn’t plan for and maybe didn’t really need.
From ordering DoorDash on a whim for study nights to purchasing a new outfit just because, this common and spontaneous consumer behavior—otherwise known as impulse spending (or impulse buying)—can serve as a reward mechanism providing instant gratification. Yet, too many spontaneous purchases may conflict with one’s broader financial goals, deplete savings, lead to debt accumulation or create a cycle of regret, guilt and decreased self-control.
To better understand the causes of this pattern and ways to stop impulse buying we spoke with Sining Wang, an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management, who teaches courses in economic behavior and psychology, computational economics and principles of microeconomics.
“The key is balance and self-awareness—knowing when an impulse is a treat versus a trap,” Wang said.
Whether you’re interested in overcoming compulsive spending or just want to better understand behavioral finances, read on to learn more from Wang.
Impulse spending is often based on emotions, rather than logic.
Common psychological triggers include present bias from hyperbolic discounting, which makes immediate rewards feel more valuable than future ones; marketing cues—such as limited time offers and attractive packaging—that heighten urgency; cognitive dissonance between an individual’s actual and ideal self, which may prompt people to buy products that align with their aspirational identity; and scarcity or novelty—when a product or service increases in value due to its limited availability and uniqueness.
Social media influence and targeted ads often set the stage for impulsive shopping in online settings.
As social media applications—such as Instagram, TikTok and Facebook—blur the line between content and commerce with influencer endorsements, viral trends and embedded shopping features amplify desire and make impulse purchases almost seamless. Additionally, social comparison—seeing peers or aspirational figures enjoying products—can push consumers to mimic behaviors, sometimes subconsciously.
In contrast, in-person shopping introduces more tactile and social cues—such as checkout-line temptations—which may deter or encourage impulse depending on the context.
Stress reduces the brain’s ability to focus or think clearly and weakens self-regulation, often making people more prone to immediate-reward behaviors.
When consumers or businesses feel financial uncertainty—due to inflation, tariffs or the broader economy—and are unsure of how prices will evolve, they often look for quick ways to regain a sense of control or comfort.
For example, businesses may stockpile materials preemptively and consumers might make hasty purchases to “lock in” a perceived deal, which can be driven by availability bias or ambiguity aversion, a behavioral bias where someone avoids choices that have unknown outcomes because they feel more comfortable with clear, known risks.
You can stop impulsive buying by implementing various saving techniques in your everyday life.
Some effective strategies to help restrict spending urges include freezing credit cards or using budgeting tools and expense trackers to increase self-awareness of spending habits. You can also use delayed tactics—such as adopting a 24-hour cooling off period before making non-essential purchases—or explore the long-term effects of seemingly small indulgences through a financial literacy program.
Interested in learning more about financial literacy? Consider taking an economics course at the Weatherhead School.