The caffeine can turn you into an impulsive shopper.
There are all sorts of things experts say can make you spend more money. From stress, to the need for immediate gratification, to a desire to keep up with the Joneses, (ie. follow the crowd), spending more can often be easier than saving. And now there’s something else you might want to think twice about: drinking coffee before you shop. It sounds like an innocent action but experts say, java drinker: beware. Why? It all has to do with the timing of your caffeine intake.
People who drank caffeinated coffee bought more
Researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) conducted a study that involved 300 shoppers in France. They placed an espresso machine at the entrance of a retail chain store and gave the participants a complimentary cup. About half of the participants received a cup containing 100 mg of caffeinated coffee and the others got decaf or water. Researchers then checked the receipts of the participants when they exited the store.
It was found that participants who drank the caffeinated coffee purchased spent significantly more items than those who received only water or decaf. The caffeinated group also bought more non-essential items like scented candles compared with the others.
Why did this happen? It could be energizing capabilities of caffeine.
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“Caffeine, as a powerful stimulant, releases dopamine in the brain, which excites the mind and the body. This leads to a higher energetic state, which in turn enhances impulsivity and decreases self-control,” said the study’s lead author Dipayan Biswas. Biswass is a professor of marketing at USF.
“While moderate amounts of caffeine intake can have positive health benefits,” he said, “there can be unintended consequences of being caffeinated while shopping.”
Researchers say if you’re trying to control your impulse spending and stick to a strict budget, you should consider avoiding consuming caffeine before you shop.
Best apps for budgeting
So, what can you do besides drinking your morning coffee later if you’re trying to save? Relying on sheer willpower in order to spend less can work. This can also make it easy to veer off track with your attempt at saving, however. Experts say budgeting can be an easier tactic to use.
According to Investopedia, You Need a Budget (YNAB) is the best budgeting app of 2022. For the best free apps, turn to Mint. And to manage your cash flow, the site recommends you try Simplifi.
The average American credit card holder carried about $5,900 in credit card debt in 2021. People over 75 had the highest average credit card debt and those under 35, the least.
Debt can cause mental health problems, it can affect children’s socioemotional well-being, and it can even impair your cardiovascular health, studies have found.
So, there we go: the verdict is in. Do yourself and your bank account a favor and skip the discounted pleather purses and extra flip flops. And leave that latte until later, (unless it’s only decaf).
photo credits: Liderina/Shutterstock.com
