Americans spend a lot of time online — 10 hours per day on average, as a recent survey revealed. That’s enough to fully immerse yourself in the lives of others. So it’s no surprise that the lifestyles you see online can influence your own.
But if you don’t have the money for luxurious meals, fabulous vacations or sprawling houses, you might find yourself spending money to emulate what you see online. And that could be bad news for your wallet.
Why Scrolling Can Cost You
Comparison spending isn’t about the item, it’s about the feeling it brings out in you. Whether that means you’ve been feeling anxious, bored or depressed, buying something can sometimes seem like an answer, or a way of creating purpose.
Moreover, the influencers you follow online are very often paid to sell you something. You’re likely already primed to say ‘yes’ to spending money on the recommendation of a familiar personality. So if you’ve ever made a late-night impulse purchase based on a video, that’s not a fluke — that’s by design.
Signs You’re Getting Over-Influenced
One impulse purchase is unlikely to get you deep into debt. But when you’ve normalized and internalized other people’s spending habits, it’s only a matter of time before debt accumulates.
Maybe you see your card balance climbing higher than usual. Maybe a bill gets paid late because money went to cover impulse buys. If any of that sounds familiar, that’s a warning sign. If your daily social media diet is costing you more than time, you’re likely ready for a change.
How to Break the Cycle
When the urge to spend hits, the goal isn’t to delete every app — it’s to give yourself another way to reset. A few things that help:
- Curate your feed: mute or unfollow accounts that trigger “I need that now.”
- Delay purchases: wait 24–48 hours before buying anything non-essential.
- Write down a few things you already have that you value.
Another smart move is to keep a running “want list” on your phone instead of checking out right away. You’ll be surprised how many things you stop caring about once a little time passes.
What to Do if It’s Already Cost You
Shopping is easy. Paying for it isn’t. By trimming your feed, pausing before you buy and noticing what you already have, you can avoid the trap. And if it’s already led to debt, there are ways to reset. Comparison may be part of social media, but it doesn’t have to influence your spending habits.
If comparison has already pushed you into debt, consider getting help from Accredited Debt Relief. We can assist with eligible Buy Now, Pay Later balances, credit cards, personal loans and more.
Want to learn more? Our experts can help.