One in three Latvians spend more when stressed or in a bad mood
A survey by SEB bank found that a third of Latvia's residents spend more money when tired, stressed or in a bad mood, and a quarter spend over 50 euros a month on impulse purchases. Women and young people are most prone to the habit.
A new survey conducted by SEB bank shows that emotions play a significant role in the shopping habits of Latvia's residents. A third of respondents admit that fatigue, stress or a bad mood leads them to spend more than originally planned. Such purchases are often referred to as emotional spending — usually small individual amounts that add up to a noticeable sum by the end of the month.
The survey found that 25% of residents spend more than 50 euros a month on impulse purchases. Another 26% say they don't know or have never calculated how much money they spend this way. To improve their mood, people most often turn to seemingly minor purchases — food, sweets, coffee, clothing, entertainment, food delivery or beauty products.
Women and young people most affected
The survey also reveals differences by gender and age group. Emotional spending habits are acknowledged by 45% of women, compared to just 29% of men. This does not necessarily mean men are less affected by emotions — it may instead reflect differences in the types of purchases made and a greater willingness among women to admit to the habit.
The pattern is especially pronounced among younger people: in both the 18-29 age group and among people in their thirties, more than half of respondents admit to impulse buying. This is linked to the digital environment, where younger people spend more time and can complete a purchase within seconds — often exactly when they feel tired, anxious or want to cheer themselves up.
How to curb spontaneous spending
SEB bank specialists recommend pausing before making a purchase, for example by delaying the decision for 24 hours to determine whether the item is truly needed. They also suggest setting a monthly limit for spontaneous spending and regularly reviewing account statements to see how much is actually spent on impulse purchases. Another tip is to remove saved card details from apps used most often for impulse shopping, since re-entering the data each time creates an extra moment for reflection.
