Often Overspending? Here Are 7 Causes You Rarely Realize
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Overspending at supermarkets is common, often driven by psychological and emotional factors rather than simple impulse.
- Key triggers include shopping while hungry, a scarcity mindset influenced by past experiences, and the allure of discounts.
- Stress, anxiety, and the pursuit of temporary pleasure also contribute to impulsive buying, leading to purchases beyond one's needs and budget.
Many of us have experienced the phenomenon of walking into a supermarket with a short list and emerging with a cart overflowing with items we didn't initially intend to buy. Tempo acknowledges that this tendency for overspending is a widespread issue, and it's not always a matter of simple willpower. The article delves into the underlying psychological and emotional reasons that contribute to this common behavior.
Belanja saat lapar adalah salah satu alasan utama kita membeli barang berlebihan.
One significant factor identified is the act of shopping while hungry. When our stomachs rumble, our brains prioritize immediate gratification, making us susceptible to impulsive food purchases and less able to stick to our shopping lists. Hunger also diminishes our self-control, making everything on the shelves appear more appealing.
Kita bisa mengabaikan daftar belanja dan membeli makanan secara impulsif.
Furthermore, past experiences, such as the scarcity felt during the COVID-19 pandemic when supermarket shelves were bare, can foster a lingering scarcity mindset. This subconscious drive to 'stock up while supplies last,' even when current conditions are stable, can lead to unnecessary purchases. This mindset can also be inherited from family members who have experienced economic hardship. The temptation of discounts plays a role too; we often feel we're getting a 'deal,' leading us to buy more than we actually need. Even seemingly minor factors like consuming caffeine before shopping can increase impulsive buying due to heightened energy and reward responsiveness. Stress and anxiety also contribute, with shopping serving as a temporary emotional escape, and the act of filling a cart can provide a fleeting sense of control.
Hal ini berkaitan dengan cara otak menghindari risiko kekurangan di masa depan, meskipun kondisi saat itu sebenarnya aman.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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