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StitcherIt’s not you, it’s capitalism. When you start feeling like you have no control over what you spend, it’s easy to wonder if something is wrong with you. But the truth is, you’re not entirely to blame. In this episode, Jen and Jill break down the psychological tactics stores use to get you to spend more, how to recognize when they’re being used on you, and most importantly, how to avoid falling for them.
The solution isn’t abstinence or leaving social media altogether, it is a conscious choice.
Sponsors:
The influence of Edward Bernays. The man who helped turn psychology into a powerful marketing tool. And those tactics are still shaping what we buy today. So, what if you could finally understand what’s happening in your brain before you spend? That’s exactly why we created Spend Smart—a coaching app that helps you uncover why you spend, break impulse-spending patterns, and build healthier money habits. Think of it as having Jen & Jill in your pocket, ready with advice, lessons, challenges, and answers whenever you need them.
Check it out at frugalfriendspodcast.com/app and we’ll give you 20% off your first year, no code needed just use the link frugalfriendspodcast.com/app.
7 Tricks Stores Hope You Never Notice
- Free Shipping. Stores set a minimum purchase for free shipping, encouraging you to add more to your cart instead of paying the shipping fee.
- Loss Aversion. When you’ve earned points, rewards, or status, the fear of losing them can make you spend more than you otherwise would.
- The Endowed-Progress Effect. Giving you a head start toward a reward makes you more motivated to keep spending until you reach the goal.
- Urgency & Artificial Scarcity. Countdown timers, “sale ends tonight,” and “only 2 left” messages create pressure to buy before you have time to reconsider.
- Choice Architecture. Stores design the shopping environment to influence your choices, from what’s placed at eye level to which products are labeled “Most Popular.”
- Decoy & Charm Pricing. Prices like $19.99 make a product feel cheaper, while a deliberately less-attractive option can make a more expensive choice seem like the better deal.
- Social Proof. Reviews, ratings, viral products, and influencer recommendations make something feel more desirable by showing you that other people are buying or enjoying it.
Avoid Falling for these Tricks
Being intentional with your spending sounds simple, but making conscious choices all day can get exhausting. And when scrolling social media becomes your go-to way to unwind, that quick dopamine hit can turn into late-night shopping, targeted ads, and purchases you never planned to make. Jen and Jill believe sustainable frugality isn’t about relying on constant willpower—it’s about changing your environment.
Logging out of Instagram and TikTok, deleting shopping apps, or simply making mindless scrolling harder can create enough friction to help you spend less without thinking about it.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying NOT to buy?
As a first time mom, Jill is trying very hard not to buy baby stuff. And for Jill it’s eating out.
Bill of the Week
Thanks Jay for calling about your medical bill and saving up for your surgery (only paying $100/mo), and applying for financial assistance.
Thanks so Much for Listening!
If you made it all the way to the end we want to give you something free. We have a free download with 15 Emergency Meals that’ll save you from ordering takeout. We use them personally when cooking is the last thing we wanna do. You can get that at frugalfriendspodcast.com/meals
And don’t forget to check out the Spend Smart app if you want real time guidance for kicking your impulse spending habits and building healthy sustainable habits around money. frugalfriendspodcast.com/app will get you 20% off.
Keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to reviews@frugalfriendspodcast.com. And don’t forget to share your favorite quote from the episode by using the hashtag #FrugalFriendsNote. 