Okay. Hands up if you’ve bought something online in the last six weeks that you probably didn’t need? Yeah, us too.
Whenever we have more time on our hands (and more time on our phones), we may turn to retail therapy and online gambling sites for entertainment. Did you ever wonder why spending money on new things or having gambling success can make you feel good, and combat feelings of sadness, loneliness, frustration or boredom?
Well, it’s because both activities release dopamine, a feel-good hormone that is triggered by a sense of being rewarded. It is similar to the feel-good hormones released when you exercise, endorphins.
But the effects of dopamine are only short-term. And if we’re not careful, constantly seeking it out through shopping or gambling can have long-term negative impacts on our budget and sense of wellbeing.
With our bank accounts linked to our smart phones, it’s all too easy to spend without even noticing. So, stop and think before checking out. Ask yourself why you’re making this purchase and what purpose it will serve in your life. Do you really need it?
An excellent tip to curb your online spending is to leave something in your basket for 24 hours, then see how you feel about it when you come back to it. Do you still want it? And more importantly, can you afford it?
Being in control of our budgets and finances is incredibly important, so it’s good to find alternate forms of entertainment and resist the temptation to overspend. Here are some things you could do instead of spending money online:
Exercise: Physical activity is one of the best things you can do to make yourself feel better – and it achieves the same sense of feeling good as spending money.
Meditate: When was the last time you put your phone down, switched off the TV and just enjoyed some peace with your thoughts? We’ve got some guided relaxations you can follow (all you need to do is listen) or you can find plenty of mindfulness tutorials on YouTube.
Enjoy some outdoor space: If you’ve got a garden, head outside and see if there’s any jobs you can do (check out our article on why gardening is so good for your mental and physical wellbeing). If you don’t, go for a walk.
Pick up the phone: Reaching out and talking to someone you love can have just as positive impact on your brain as spending money and with none of the guilt.
Have a sort out: If you want to buy new things, surely you’re going to need space for them. So have a clear out, and surprise yourself by rediscovering some long-forgotten gems. And while you’re at it, why not put aside your unwanted clothing to donate to one of our textiles recycling banks.
Take up writing in a journal: we can almost guarantee, you’ll never see something like this again in your lifetime, so you might as well document it.
We’re here to help
If you have overspent or are worrying about your finances, we’re here to help you. Our Welfare caseworkers can help in a number of ways, and may be able to support you with any of the following:
- Advice and signposting information
- Onward referral to help with debt management
- Hardship payments to support households (but we can’t pay your debts for you)
- Maximising income through Welfare benefits advice
To find out how we can support you, ring our Support Line on 0800 369 8820 to speak to a member of the Welfare team, complete an enquiry online or register for MyFFC and head to the ‘Access Support’ tab at the top of the homepage.
Picking up the phone and giving us a ring is such an important first step in seeking support. If you’re worried about being overheard, combine ringing us with going for a walk, and enjoy the soothing effects of being outdoors at the same time.