What Drives Impulse Spending and How To Avoid It

This post was originally posted on Planner Bee.

You know the feeling. You walk past a display on Orchard Road or see a flash sale notification, “Up to 70% Off!”, and before you realise it, you’ve made another unplanned purchase. The excitement is immediate, but so is the guilt that follows. It’s a common experience.

With discount codes, vouchers, and TikTok trends like “girl math” justifying impulsive spending, it’s easy to normalise frequent, unplanned purchases. In Singapore, the constant stream of deals from events like the Great Singapore Sale, 11.11, and daily online flash deals makes it even harder to resist.

Impulse spending is more than just a bad habit. Over time, it can affect your budget, mood, and financial goals. In today’s fast-paced and sale-driven culture, being aware of how and why you spend is important if you want to stay in control.

1. What is impulse spending?

Have you ever bought something “just because”? That’s impulse spending. It happens when you make a purchase on the spot, often led by emotion rather than need. It is usually not something you planned or budgeted for.

With one-tap checkouts, buy-now-pay-later schemes, and endless ads nudging you to treat yourself, spending without much thought has become more common. Whether you’re walking through a local mall or browsing Shopee from your bed, the temptation to spend is always present. And it can add up quickly.

2. The psychology behind impulse spending

Emotional triggers

Have you ever clicked “Buy Now” after a tough day or during a quiet weekend just to lift your mood? It happens more often than we realise. Stress from work, boredom, or even envy while scrolling through social media can push us to spend. In those moments, shopping feels like a quick way to cope. It’s not really about needing the item. It’s about filling an emotional gap with something that feels rewarding, even if only for a short while.

Instant gratification and fear of missing out (FOMO)

Impulse purchases offer a quick burst of pleasure. That small rush you feel when buying something new comes from dopamine, a chemical in the brain linked to pleasure and reward. It’s the same feeling you get from eating your favourite snack or hearing something nice about yourself. The problem is, that feeling does not last. It often fades quickly and can leave you with regret. When time-limited sales or countdown timers appear, like 11.11 or “Only 1 hour left!”, the pressure to buy becomes even harder to ignore. You may not really need the item, but you also don’t want to miss out.

The Singapore shopping culture

In Singapore, shopping is often more than just a task. It can be a way to relax, connect with others, or reward ourselves. Whether it is walking through Takashimaya on the weekend or browsing Lazada during a lunch break, shopping is part of daily life. Promotions such as SG60 discounts and mega events like the Great Singapore Sale constantly signal that spending equals happiness. With all these external influences, controlling impulse purchases can feel like a constant uphill battle.

3. Why it’s a problem for your finances

The small leaks effect

Most of us think it’s the big-ticket items that blow the budget. In reality, it’s often the little, frequent expenses that we hardly notice. A $5 bubble tea after lunch, $12 on food delivery because you didn’t feel like cooking, or a $20 online deal you couldn’t resist, these may seem harmless on their own. But if you do this a few times a week, the total adds up quickly. That can easily amount to over $150 a month, or nearly $2,000 a year spent on things you may not even remember. These small leaks slowly eat into your savings, without adding much value to your daily life.

Impact on financial goals

Impulse spending can quietly push your financial goals further out of reach. Whether you are saving for a home deposit, a trip to Japan, or simply trying to pay off your credit card, dipping into your funds for unplanned purchases sets you back.

It’s not always about how much you earn, but how intentionally you spend. That same $300 a month spent on impulse purchases could have gone into your emergency fund or investments. Over time, missed opportunities like these make a real difference.

Read more: The Rise of Doom Spending and How to Avoid It

4. How to recognise your triggers

Journaling your purchases

One simple way to understand your spending habits is to keep a record. Each time you buy something, note what you bought, how much it cost, and how you felt at the time. Were you feeling bored, stressed, or just passing time while waiting for the MRT?

After a while, you may start to notice patterns. You might shop more late at night, or spend more on days when you skip meals. This awareness helps you pause and think before repeating the same habits.

Typical Singaporean triggers

In Singapore, impulse spending often happens in familiar situations. You might grab an overpriced snack from 7-Eleven after work because you skipped lunch. Or you might head to VivoCity after a stressful week and tell yourself you deserve a treat.

Scrolling through Instagram or TikTok can also play a part. Seeing friends post their latest hauls from Lazada or Shein can create a subtle pressure to keep up, even if you were not planning to shop. These everyday triggers can quietly lead to regular, unplanned spending.

Read more: Grandma’s Budgeting Secrets That Still Work Today

5. Strategies to curb impulse spending

Try the 24-hour pause

When you see something you want, resist the urge to buy it immediately. Add it to your wishlist and give yourself 24 hours to think about it. If it’s still on your mind the next day and within your budget, it might be something to go ahead with. Often, though, you will find the interest fades and you can move on without it.

To take it further, try setting a “Wishlist Wednesday” routine. Review your wishlist just once a week instead of checking it daily. It gives your wallet a break and helps you become more thoughtful about spending.

Pay with cash or debit

Tapping a card or scanning a QR code can make spending feel less real. Try using cash for everyday items like kopi, snacks, or lunch. It makes it easier to notice how much you’re spending.

If you prefer going cashless, consider using a separate debit account for non-essential spending. Set a limit for the month and stop once the balance runs out. This gives you structure without needing to track every cent.

Declutter your feeds

Reduce temptation by unsubscribing from marketing emails, turning off app notifications, and tidying up your social media. Follow accounts that encourage mindful habits instead of constant sales and shopping hauls. You can also set app timers to gently limit how long you browse.

To make shopping apps less tempting, move them into a hidden folder with a name like “Do I Really Need This?”. It sounds simple, but it can be a helpful reminder.

Create a fun fund

Spending can still be enjoyable when it is intentional. Set aside a fixed amount each month, whether it is $50 or $200, for guilt-free fun. Use it for things you genuinely enjoy without affecting your savings.

To make it more engaging, turn it into a monthly “Spend Challenge.” Choose one meaningful purchase or experience each month, such as a concert, a book, or a nice meal. Having something to look forward to can make it easier to skip unplanned buys.

6. Leveraging technology and tools

You do not need to track every expense by hand. There are apps that can help manage your spending more easily:

• You Need a Budget (YNAB): Good for setting clear goals and planning your spending ahead of time.
• PocketGuard: Helps you monitor your cash flow with a simple interface.
• Toshl Finance: Offers visual tools and a playful approach to budgeting. It is ideal if you prefer colourful graphs and a lighter tone while managing your money.

7. Building a healthier relationship with money

A big part of managing impulse spending is learning to focus on what truly matters to you. Before making a purchase, ask yourself if it supports your values or brings you closer to your goals. It could be saving for a flat, planning a trip, or simply having peace of mind. When your spending reflects your priorities, it feels more rewarding and less like something to regret. This mindset shift helps reduce financial stress and builds a greater sense of control.

Impulse spending is something we all face at times. The important thing is not to aim for perfection, but to stay consistent. Each mindful decision helps you feel more confident about your money and yourself.

Read more: 10 Essential Money Habits To Master in Your 20s