Ever wondered why that “limited-time sale” makes you want to buy something you don’t even need?
Or why swiping a credit card(if you have) feels way easier than handing over cash?
Spoiler alert: it’s not just you.
Brands and marketers have mastered the art of making us spend impulsively, and our brains happily play along.

But don’t worry—once you understand the psychology behind spending, you can take control of your money instead of letting it control you.
Let’s learn more about the sneaky tricks our brains pull and how to outsmart them.

1. Why Shopping Feels So Good

Ever felt a little rush of excitement when buying something new?
That’s dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical, doing its thing.
It rewards us for spending, making shopping feel like an instant mood booster.

How to Outsmart It:

  • Delay the purchase. Wait 24 hours before buying non-essential items. That rush fades fast, and you’ll likely realize you don’t need it.
  • Use a wishlist instead of an instant checkout. If you still want the item after a week, go for it!

Unsubscribe from marketing emails that constantly tempt you with “exclusive deals.”
Out of sight, out of mind!

2. Why Cards Make Us Overspend

Studies show people spend more when using credit or debit cards compared to cash. Why?
Because there’s no physical pain in swiping a card, whereas handing over cash feels like losing something.

How to Outsmart It:

  • Try the cash-stuffing method for certain expenses. Set aside physical cash for things like entertainment or dining out—when it’s gone, it’s gone.
  • Use budgeting apps that track every digital transaction so you “feel” the money leaving.

Use a debit card for everyday spending instead of a credit card to keep yourself from racking up debt.

3. Why Discounts Trick Us(The Sale Illusion)

“Was PKR15,000, now only PKR7,500!” Sounds like a smart deal, right? Wrong.
Many stores inflate original prices just to make discounts seem bigger.
Your brain sees the “savings” instead of questioning if you actually need the item.

How to Outsmart It:

  • Ask yourself: “Would I buy this at full price?” If not, skip it.

Retailers use “buy one, get one free” to make you spend more. If you don’t need the second item, it’s not really a deal.

4. Why We Buy What Others Have(The Social Proof Effect)

Seeing influencers, friends, or even strangers show a product makes us want it too.
It’s called social proof, and it’s why trends explode overnight.

How to Outsmart It:

  • Ask yourself, “Do I want this because I need it or because everyone else has it?”

Next time you see an influencer promoting a product, check if they have #ad in their caption—if they do, they’re getting paid to make it look good.

5. Why You Forget to Cancel(The Subscriptions)

Ever signed up for a “free trial” and totally forgot about it?
Subscription services count on you forgetting so they can keep charging you.
That’s why they make it super easy to sign up but annoyingly hard to cancel.

How to Outsmart It:

  • Set a reminder to cancel free trials before they charge you.
  • Use a subscription tracker app like Truebill to spot and cancel unused subscriptions.

If you want to cancel a subscription but they offer a discount to stay, try this: Cancel anyway.
Many companies will offer you an even bigger discount a few days later.

Bonus Tip: The Power of a “Money Mission Statement”

One of the best ways to avoid impulse spending is to have a money mission statement—a simple sentence that reminds you of your bigger financial goals.

Example:
👉 “I’m saving for my dream PC, so I only spend on things that truly add value to my life.”

Every time you’re about to make an unnecessary purchase, remind yourself of your mission.

Spending is psychological, but now that you know the tricks, you can fight back.
Every small change in how you think about money adds up to big results over time.

So next time you’re about to impulse buy, pause and ask yourself—is this my brain playing tricks on me?
Take control, spend smarter, and build a better financial future!