GOBankingRates works with many financial advertisers to showcase their products and services to our audiences.

These brands compensate us to advertise their products in ads across our site.

This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site.

Worried woman looks at her laptop while holding a credit or debit card.

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information.

it’s possible for you to read more about oureditorial guidelinesand our products and servicesreview methodology.

But have you heard of doomspending?

facebook sharing button

Financial experts explainedhow to curb this tendency.

Obviously, during the pandemic there was terrible news every day.

Then the government sent out a series of checks to people, regardless of whether theyd been affected financially.

twitter sharing button

This gave people the means to spend as a diversion.

While those checks have long since ended, the tendency to seek diversion may not have.

When debt becomes unmanageable, it only causes further financial and psychological harm.

linkedin sharing button

So doom spending can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, Barrington added.

Create Healthy Diversions

Barrington recommended you attempt to thwart the cycle by giving yourself a reality check.

Overspending and going into debt arent going to solve your problems.

email sharing button

Theyre only going to pile on additional problems.

Think ahead how are you going to feel when those bills come due?

Then, he suggested thinking about diversions you enjoy that dont cause harm.

Tayne recommended instituting a 24-hour rule for discretionary spending.

If you see something you want, bookmark it and come back to it after a full day.

This can help reduce your exposure toinfluencers and brandsthat encourage emotional spending.

Consider looking into afinancial wellness groupor forums online instead.

These can help you stay motivated to keep your spending in check and provide some help with accountability.

Most importantly, to change any bad habit, you first need to bring attention to it.

Start by noticing when and how you overspend and see if its connected to negative emotions.

More From GOBankingRates

Share This Article:

The Latest inSaving Money