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Spending to Feel Better

Have you ever had a bad day and thought, “I just need a little something to cheer me up”?

And so, maybe you bought yourself a little takeaway, a new shirt, or some a bag of chuckles that you hadn’t planned for.

In that moment, it probably felt good. Like you were taking back control of something in your life. Like you were getting something good that you deserve.

If you have done it, you are not alone. We all do it.

When life feels overwhelming or out of control, spending money can feel like a quick fix. A small reward. A comfort. A way to say, “I am still in charge here.”

But if you are in debt, or going through debt review, these little purchases can cause big problems later. Let’s talk about why you need to be careful.

It Happens So Easily

Life can make us feel out of control, It can leave us stressed or powerless. So we spend.

Though we all spend to take back power, it can have knock on consequences.

Imagine: You have had a long and frustrating week. Your boss snapped at you for something you didn’t deserve. The car is making that strange sound again and it is getting worse. And at home, things are tense because money is always tight.

Then, you walk past a store and see something you like. It could be a jacket, a pair of sneakers, or even just your favourite snacks. You think, “I deserve this. I need this. I will figure out the rest later.”

It feels good.

But two days later, there is not enough money for groceries, or worse yet your debit order for debt review does not go through. Now the stress comes crashing back.

This kind of spending is known as ’emotional spending’. That means buying something not because you need it, but because you want to feel better. And while this is something many people do, it can certainly make things worse when it blows your budget and well thought out plans.

So, What Can You Do Instead?

If you have done this before (or even recently) don’t waste time feeling ashamed.


It’s normal behaviour and as long as we don’t fall into an ongoing routine of emotional spending you can probably get things back on track (and find ways to avoid doing it again in the future).

Here are some practical ideas:

Wait Before You Spend
When you feel the urge to buy something, stop.

Try waiting for 24 hours. Often the feeling will pass. You can write the item down on a list for later. Giving yourself space to think clearly can help you avoid making a decision you will regret.

Think About the Consequences
Emotional spending is often impulse spending or a sudden unthinking release of stress that manifests itself in shopping bags full of things we might not really need right now.

Ask yourself, If I buy this now, what will I have to give up later?
Will I miss a payment?

Will I be short on food or transport money?

Thinking things through and considering the knock on effects of using the funds for this thing now helps you see the real cost later.

If you can afford it, then go for it but if it is gonna mess things up and ruin your budget plans then it might be hard but you need to make better choices.

Save Up for Nice Things
If you are in debt review it does not mean you cannot have nice things.

If there is something you really want, make a plan to get it the right way. Since you can’t just throw it on the credit card like you would have in the past you need to put aside a small amount every week. Even R20 at a time adds up. When you finally get the item, it will feel like a reward you truly earned, and not something that throws off your whole month.

What Do You Really Need?
Emotional spending often covers up how we are really feeling.

You might actually need rest, support from people who value you, or just something to lift your mood.

Instead of buying something, try something free. Take a walk. Watch a favourite movie again (they say watching things again helps reduce anxiety and stress cause it is familiar and your brain knows what is gonna happen next). Talk to a friend. After all a problem shared is a problem halved. And who doesn’t like to spend time with your close friends?

 These alternatives can meet your underlying emotional need without hurting your finances.

Talk to Your Debt Counsellor
You are not expected to figure everything out by yourself.

If you feel like you are slipping or struggling to stick to your plan, speak to your Debt Counsellor. They can help you find ways to adjust or include occasional spending in a healthy and safe way.

Your Debt Counsellor can help you look at your expenses and budget again to find ways to still have fun and relax without spending funds needed to service your debts. You have made commitments to your credit providers and you need to stick to the plan, while they offer you significant concessions.

Fair’s fair.

Real Power Comes From Settling Your Debts

Spending money might give you a quick feeling or the illusion of control.

But real control, the kind that builds a better life, comes from staying on track even when things feel tough. Every time you make a choice that protects your budget, you are choosing your long term future over a short term temporary boost (that you could get in another way).

When you reach your goals, whether it is finishing debt review or simply making it through the month without extra stress, you will know you did it. Not with a quick fix, but with real strength.

And that is something to be proud of.