Doom Spending to Relieve Stress—Why You Should Avoid It

Full disclosure: I’m guilty of making some irrational impulse buys in my life in order to deal with stressful situations. For example, at the beginning of the pandemic, I knew my family didn’t really need an Italian ice machine, but buying it felt like something I could control at a time when everything seemed to be falling apart. (Spoiler alert: we’ve used it twice and it’s now gathering dust in my pantry.)

Granted, I’m not the only one who has turned to retail therapy during times of stress. In fact, according to a February 2025 report from CreditCards.com, as many as 1 in 5 Americans are turning to “doom spending” to deal with some of our country’s current stressors, including worries about economic uncertainty.

As much as this is an understandable reaction to economic and political instability—as well as the normal stressors of life—it’s a practice that both therapists and financial experts say is a big nope. Here, we’ll take a close look at doom spending, its psychological triggers, its impact, and how to stop doom spending once and for all.

What Is Doom Spending?

First, what exactly is doom spending? According to Christopher Fisher, PsyD, MS Ed., a psychologist and the director of the adult outpatient psychiatry department at Northwell Zucker Hillside Hospital, doom spending can be defined as “the act of compulsively spending money in response to feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or dread about the future.”

Psychological Triggers

Stress and anxiety are the typical psychological triggers for doom spending. In particular, anxiety fueled by feelings of gloom and doom triggers episodes of doom spending. When we experience feelings of uncertainty, we often adopt a “worst-case scenario” mindset, says Dr. Fisher.

“Our bodies respond to this anticipation with heightened physical and emotional reactions, almost as if the crisis is already occurring,” he explains. “This leads us to seek immediate relief, and for many, spending money becomes a way to manage this internal chaos.” Anxiety can lead to impulsive, emotionally driven behavior. Logical thinking is replaced by a need for quick comfort, Dr. Fisher explains.

Depression is also at play here, according to Dr. Fisher. “Those who experience feelings of hopelessness, a common symptom of depression, might adopt a ‘who cares’ attitude,” he describes. “The result can be reckless spending—a belief that ‘spending now’ will at least make the moment feel better, even if it’s only temporary.”

Social and Political Influences

Doom spending is also influenced by the culture we live in, which often amplifies our psychological tendencies. “With technology and e-commerce platforms making purchases easier than ever, it’s tempting to turn to spending as a form of self-care,” says Dr. Fisher. With just a few clicks on your phone, you can have something delivered to your doorstep with barely any effort.

“For many, the act of shopping, particularly during times of stress, becomes a coping mechanism—a way to achieve an emotional high in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable,” Dr. Fisher describes.

Likewise, our political and economic climate is a major factor. “People are living in a world that feels chaotic—political divisions, economic instability, and global crises make everything feel uncertain,” Dr. Fisher shares. When people feel uncertain about their future, they often look for temporary comfort through material purchases. Buying things can give people a sense of agency and short-term relief, Dr. Fisher says.

The Mental Health Impact of Doom Spending

In general, the way it works with doom spending is that you will likely feel good at first, soon after you make your purchase. The problem is that not only are these feelings fleeting, but they can lead to negative feelings, and even more stress than you had before.

“In the short term, there is an undeniable sense of relief—when we purchase something, especially in a heightened emotional state, the act triggers the release of dopamine, the brain’s ‘feel-good’ chemical,” Dr. Fisher says. This offers us an immediate feeling of pleasure. “However, once that pleasure fades, we can be left with overwhelming feelings of guilt, remorse, and an intensified sense of anxiety,” he says.

“This financial burden becomes a vicious cycle—worrying about money leads to more impulsive spending, which in turn increases financial anxiety, deepening the emotional distress,” Dr. Fisher explains.

Economic Implications

The economic implications of doom spending can’t be overstated. The fact is that millions of Americans face credit card debt, and it can be incredibly difficult to climb out of it. Total credit card debt for Americans as of December 2024 reached $1.21 trillion (yes, trillion).

While many people doom spend to manage their negative emotions and the economic uncertainty that’s common these days, doom spending is never a good idea, says Andrea Woroch, consumer finance and savings expert and author.

“Doom spending can cause serious financial strain if you aren’t careful and paying attention to what you’re buying and how much you’re spending,” she warns. “Buying anything out of impulse and without a plan can drain your budget and lead to mounting debt, which will ultimately cause more stress and anxiety.”

Coping Strategies and Alternatives

Okay, so it’s clear that doom spending is something that we should 100% avoid. But what about those of us who find it hard to stop? What are some options for managing not just our finances, but our tendencies to make new purchases as a way to relieve stress and feelings of doom?

There are some practices you can adopt that will help you better manage your emotions so that spending money isn’t your first reaction to a stressful situation.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is one of the most effective ways to manage impulse spending, says Dr. Fisher. In a nutshell, mindfulness for doom spending involves becoming more aware of your feelings and how you act upon them. You do this through guided meditations and other mindfulness techniques.

“When it comes to spending, mindfulness encourages individuals to make deliberate choices,” Dr. Fisher describes. “Instead of succumbing to impulse, individuals can pause, reflect, and consider whether a purchase aligns with their long-term values and needs.”

Other Self-Care Strategies

Adding in other daily practices can also help you curb your desires to doom spend. Here’s what Dr. Fisher recommends:

Financial Planning and Budgeting

Having smart routines around budgeting and money management can help with doom spending. Really, having any kind of plan that dictates how you spend and save your money goes a long way in limiting impulsive spending.

Here are tips from Woroch:

Follow a Detailed Budget

There are several different budgeting methods Woroch recommends, including the 50/20/30 rule, zero-based budgeting, or the envelope method. “It doesn’t matter which one you choose, but find a budgeting approach that works for you,” she says.

“Ultimately, your goal should be to understand how much money you have coming in and going out and to get in control of where your dollars are going so you’re not wasting them on unused services or unnecessary purchases.” You can also use a budgeting app to help with this.

Identify Doom Spending Triggers

Consider doing some journaling to record what you purchase and how you feel when you purchase things on a whim. Once you understand what causes you to doom spend, you can construct a plan to manage your triggers.

“Sometimes just being away from the emotions that fuel those spending habits can be enough to help you cope with your emotions in other ways—such as venting to a friend, going for a walk or exercise class, or even seeking support from a licensed therapist (a much better way to spend your money!),” Woroch shares.

Mind Your Social Media and Subscriptions

Woroch recommends unsubscribing from retail newsletters and turning off push notifications for retail apps that send you tempting deals. Unfollow social media accounts that fuel excessive purchases.

Leave Credit Cards at Home and Pay With Cash

It may seem strange in this day and age to walk around with cash in your wallet, but doing so can curb doom spending. “You’re less likely to make an impulse purchase when you’re paying with cash and carrying bigger bills is an even better way to avoid those unnecessary splurges,” Woroch suggests.

Bottom Line

We get it—spending money can feel really good when everything else seems to be unraveling around you. But doom spending is really not a good idea.

“Ultimately, doom spending offers only temporary relief and often results in long-term consequences,” Fisher says. “By understanding the psychological triggers behind it and adopting healthier alternatives, individuals can begin to break free from the cycle of emotional spending and build a more mindful, financially stable future.”

If you need further support with your financial decisions, or if money matters are causing you significant anxiety or stress, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional for guidance and support.