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StitcherNo judgments here—we’re all guilty of impulse spending from time to time anyways. But it becomes a problem when we don’t notice how it’s slowly draining our wallets. In this episode, Jen and Jill explore five reasons behind impulse spending and offer better alternatives that won’t cost us.
Influences will always be all around us but we will feel more confident in what we say yes to when we know what we want to be doing with our money.
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- Things you can’t resist. Like hot chocolate on a cold day, the urge to sneeze, the desire to google every medical symptom, picking up tongs and clicking them together, the 2nd-10th chip. There are things in life that are simply irresistible, so you might as well give in. Kinda like pre-ordering our book ‘Buy What You Love Without Going Broke’ – if you’re not gonna stifle the sneeze, or keep the tongs silent, don’t bother waiting on this book either. It’s a game changer and will help you manage money and spend better for the literal rest of your life.
Breaking the Cycle
The first two reasons Jen and Jill share focuses on the cycles or patterns we’ve lived by but no longer notice. Jen’s top #1 is habit spending—spending that once had a purpose but has now become a mindless habit. Even if you don’t really need something, you might still buy it simply because you’re used to doing so. Jill suggests interrupting these habits and creating new ones that don’t cost you money.
Another significant reason could be stress. Jill acknowledges that stress is inevitable. That’s why understanding your stress response and its impact on your spending is important. She recommends making a list of activities to turn to when you’re feeling overwhelmed, so you’re less likely to resort to short-lived solutions that cost money. Jen also suggests using a “dopamine hit list” of healthier activities—like exercise or meditation—to curb emotional spending, as supported by research.
Finding The Right Fulfillment
The next three reasons focus on finding joy in the wrong places. For instance, shopping as an activity can fuel unnecessary spending. Instead, they suggest replacing it with fulfilling activities that align with your goals. If you love the thrill of the hunt, Jill recommends channeling that energy into something meaningful, like setting goals or exploring the library—but she emphasizes, “Nothing is a deal if you don’t actually need it.”
Jen highlights social influence, which can make us feel inadequate when we compare ourselves to ideals online or within our community. She sees this as a deeper issue since chasing these traps can leave you feeling like nothing is ever enough. Jill advises curating who you follow and clarifying your values, helping you confidently say “yes” or “no” to influences. Remember the golden rule: if it’s not on the list, it’s not getting bought.
When do you allow yourself to make impulse purchases?
Jen impulse spends only on items from her list. Jill does the same but also allows it if it fits her spending plan or meets loose parameters.
Bill of The Week
Thank you Holly for sharing your bill about shopping for different insurances.
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews and we especially loved this one from:
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Obsessed!
I’m so obsessed with this podcast! I listen to every episode, even if it doesn’t sound like something that would interest me, because Jen and Jill are just so fun to listen to. It’s like chatting with some friends! I learn so much about saving money and being more conscious of my spending. It’s amazing that they’ve done so many episodes and still haven’t run out of things to talk about!
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