Do You Spend When You're Bored?
Discover why boredom leads to impulse purchases and learn healthy ways to fill the void without emptying your wallet.
It’s Saturday afternoon. You’ve already scrolled TikTok, checked Instagram twice, and watched three YouTube videos about nothing.
College football isn’t on yet.
You’re not hungry, not tired, just... restless. So you open up a shopping app “just to browse.” Two hours later, you have three items in your cart, and your finger is hovering over “Buy Now.”
If this sounds like your weekend routine, you’re definitely not alone. According to research, 22% of emotional spending happens when people are bored, and 58% of Gen Z report shopping when they have nothing else to do. (Source: WWD, “Gen Z and Millennials Lean into Emotional Spending,” https://wwd.com/business-news/business-features/credit-karma-genz-millennials-emotional-spending-1235578185/)
Your brain is literally craving stimulation, and shopping apps are designed to deliver precisely that hit you’re looking for.
Why Does Shopping Feel So Good When You’re Understimulated?
Think about it—shopping apps are basically dopamine delivery systems. Bright colors, new products, flash sales, and reviews to scroll through. When your brain is bored, this stuff is like candy.
Additionally, shopping when you’re bored provides an activity to occupy your time. Suddenly, you have decisions to make, comparisons to research, and reviews to read. It feels productive even when you’re just burning time.
There’s also the future fantasy element. When you’re bored with your current life, shopping lets you imagine a different version of yourself. You picture how amazing you’ll feel wearing that outfit or using that gadget.
And let’s be real—hitting “buy now” gives you a sense of accomplishment. You made a decision! You got something done! Even if what you “got done” was trading money and time for “useful” stuff.
The Problem with Retail Therapy for Boredom
First, the obvious: those small purchases add up fast. A $20 impulse buy here, a $15 gadget there, and suddenly you’ve blown through your fun money for the month (if you even budgeted for it).
Then there’s the clutter factor. Buying stuff you don’t really need means your space fills up with things that don’t add genuine value to your life. That cute mug seemed essential when you were bored, but now it’s just taking up cabinet space.
But here’s the bigger issue: using shopping to fix boredom means you’re missing out on developing actual tolerance for understimulation. Boredom can actually be productive—it’s often when creativity strikes or when you finally tackle tasks you’ve been putting off.
Plus, the satisfaction from boredom purchases gets shorter and shorter each time. What used to entertain you for hours now barely holds your attention for minutes.
Better Ways to Spend Your Restless Energy
Get creative. Keep a running list of creative projects to engage in during moments of boredom. Drawing, writing, creating playlists, or experimenting with new makeup looks using what you already have.
Move your body. Take a walk around the block, do some stretches, dance in your room, try a YouTube workout. Movement changes your energy and often shifts your mood entirely.
Connect with people. Text your friends, call your grandma, comment on someone’s post (nicely), join online communities around your interests (not shopping groups, though).
Actually be productive. Organize one drawer, clean your room, meal prep, and do that assignment you’ve been avoiding. Channel that “I need to do something” energy into actually doing something that moves your whole life forward.
Learn stuff. Watch educational YouTube videos, try a language app, research topics you’re curious about, and take free online courses.
Practice being bored. Sometimes the best thing to do when you’re bored is... nothing. Sit with the feeling. Let your mind wander. See what comes up.
How to Avoid the Boredom Spending Trap
Recognize your patterns. When are you most likely to shop out of boredom? Sunday afternoons? Late evenings? After finishing tasks? Awareness helps you prepare.
Make a “bored list.” Write down 15 things you can do when restlessness hits. Keep this list somewhere obvious so you don’t have to think of alternatives when your brain is understimulated.
Delete shopping apps from your home screen. Make it slightly more complicated to impulse shop. Those extra taps and clicks give your rational brain time to catch up.
Set a timer. If you do find yourself shopping when bored, set a 20-minute timer. Browse all you want, but don’t buy anything until the timer goes off. Often, the urge passes.
Use the “tomorrow test.” Ask yourself: “Will I still want this tomorrow?” If you’re shopping out of boredom rather than genuine need, the answer is usually no.
Boredom Is Actually Normal
Here’s something worth remembering: you don’t have to fix or escape every moment of boredom. Sometimes your brain needs a break from constant stimulation.
Boredom is your mind’s way of saying it’s ready for something new or different. Instead of filling that space with stuff, consider what experiences or activities might provide the kind of lasting engagement that purchases can’t deliver.
Your money is too valuable to spend just because you’re temporarily understimulated. You deserve activities that genuinely enrich your life, not just distract you from fleeting moments of restlessness.
This content is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or therapeutic advice. Consider speaking with qualified professionals for personalized guidance.