Managing Impulse Buying with Credit Cards and Social Media
Strategies for curbing impulsive purchases made with a credit card, featuring TikTok's shopping platform and sneaker drops.
In today's digital age, credit cards and social media have made impulse buying a more common occurrence. This form of spending can lead to overspending and credit card debt in the future.
impulse purchases frequently stem from deeper motivations. As a Certified Credit Counselor, I've observed that most spenders can be categorized into one of seven types: fanatical shoppers, passive spenders, ulterior motive spenders, esteem spenders, special interest spenders, hot potato spenders, and impulsive spenders.
These categories may overlap, particularly when it comes to impulse buying. You may find yourself buying something spontaneously due to a sale or an in-store sample. Or you might spend more at brunch than planned because your friends order another round of mimosas.
Examples of impulse purchases with a credit card may include skincare products promoted by a social media influencer, grocery items not on the shopping list, limited-edition sneakers, an all-inclusive resort stay, takeout when dinner ingredients are in the fridge, or an impulse buy while window shopping.
Impulse buying with a credit card is risky, as it can disrupt your budget. For instance, if you allocate a specific amount for groceries each month, but consistently add last-minute snacks to your cart, your grocery bills may inflate, leaving you with less money for savings or debt repayment. It's also possible to accumulate interest on your credit card if you carry a balance.
Actually, 16% of respondents in our website's 2025 Money and Mental Health Survey admitted to buying an unplanned, non-essential item within the past month. Moreover, 48% of social media users in our website's 2023 Social Media Survey confessed to impulsively buying products they spotted on social media.
Although credit card interest rates are high, nearly half of Americans carry credit card debt on a monthly basis, according to our website's Credit Card Debt Report. If you continue to carry a balance while also making more impulse purchases, interest charges could lead to debt that spirals out of control.
Social media's influence on impulse buying is noteworthy, as platforms are no longer just for personal updates or keeping up with friends. They have also become advertising machines, with brands spending an average of $46.47 to reach you, a social media user. Influencers, who often work with brands to promote products, are particularly persuasive - nearly half of consumers make impulse purchases based on influencer endorsements at least once a month.
To avoid impulse buying, consider these five strategies:
- Set a budget and adhere to it.
- Wait 24 hours before making a non-essential purchase.
- Refrain from shopping on your phone, or limit your access to shopping apps and influencer accounts.
- Participate in the no-buy challenge and establish a spending limit for certain periods.
- Take a personal finance course or work with a credit counselor to gain professional guidance.
Before checking out for an impulse buy, pause and consider why you want the item, how many times you'll use it, whether you can pay it off at the end of the month, and if you'll regret the purchase.
By resisting overconsumption and sticking to a budget, along with the other tips mentioned, you can reduce impulse buying with a credit card. Embracing financial discipline can provide a sense of control that money cannot buy.
Engaging in personal finance management requires the consideration of lifestyle choices, such as curbing impulse buying. In the digital age, this unexpected spending frequently arises from credit card use and social media, with impulse purchases often stemming from factors like social media influencer endorsements and sales promotions.
