Are influencers fuelling your impulse spending?

Social media influencers are always plugging the latest fashion must-haves, beauty products and places to eat.

But keeping up with this picture-perfect, Instagrammable lifestyle can be very expensive.

So it’s really important that you don’t spend more than you can afford and risk falling into debt.

The rise of ‘retail addiction’

Ian Hamilton, a professor of addiction at the University of York, believes retailers are increasingly borrowing techniques from the gambling industry to keep us spending - especially online.

"I don't think it's any accident that people find it difficult once they start this loop of spending, buying, feeling good then having remorse,” he told BBC News.

And influencers are helping to feed this problem.

“It's one thing having an item described to you,” Professor Hamilton said.

“[But that] doesn't have the same impact as seeing a glossy well-put together video package which extols the virtue of an item and only shows the positives."

So if you love nothing more than watching YouTubers talk about their beauty routine or share their latest hauls on TikTok, how can you protect your money?

1. Unfollow or mute influencers who make you feel pressured to buy

Your favourite influencer might look as if they’re living the dream.

But if their content leaves you feeling like you constantly need to spend money to keep up, hit unfollow or mute them for a while.

You don’t owe them your attention, especially if their content is causing you stress and affecting your self-esteem.

Instead, you could follow people who inspire you in other ways, such as content creators who talk about hobbies, creative pursuits and personal growth.

Simply changing the type of content you consume, rather than avoiding social media completely, can make a big difference to your mental health and your bank balance.

2. Pause before you purchase

If you’re tempted by a particular product, don’t buy it straight away.

Impulse spending often happens in the moment, so it’s important to give yourself time to think. 

Step away for a few hours, or even better, sleep on it and come back the next day.

You’ll then be in a better position to ask yourself if you really want that item, if you can really afford it and if you’ll still value it in a few weeks or months.

3. Delete saved payment details from your devices

Remove your saved card details from shopping apps and websites.

If you have to manually enter your card details, you’ll be more likely to pause and reconsider what you’re buying.

It’s a simple change that can help you break the cycle of mindless spending.

4. Track your triggers

Try to work out what gives you the urge to spend.

Are you splashing the cash when you’re bored or stressed?

Is it a habit at a particular time of day, such as when you’re scrolling on your phone late at night?

Are you a huge fan of a particular content creator and want to emulate them?

If you understand what’s prompting you to splash the cash, you can start to break the cycle.

5. Keep an eye on your money

It’s so easy to buy online in just a few clicks that you can start to lose sight of the fact you’re spending real money.

So check your bank accounts regularly and stay on top of your household budget, so you have a firm grip on what you can afford to spend on treats and luxuries.

Get started by checking out our guide to how to create a budget, so you can see how much money you have coming in each month and where it goes.

And give our budget planner a try - it’s free and easy to use.