Why We Buy Things on Emotion -- and How Dave Ramsey Says We Can Be More Disciplined

Here's how to control your spending.

Shopping is often seen as a form of retail therapy, but what happens when our emotions take over and we end up spending too much? It's an all-too-common problem these days, especially with the ease of online shopping. Fortunately, there are ways to be more disciplined and keep our emotions in check. Here's why we buy things based on emotion -- and what financial guru Dave Ramsey recommends for controlling emotional spending.

Why we buy things based on emotion

The psychology behind emotional spending is complex, but one thing is clear: it often comes down to simply wanting to feel better about ourselves. It's easy to get caught up in the moment when we see that outfit or gadget we want. Retail therapy is shopping to reduce stress and make us feel better. It has become an increasingly popular way for us to try and improve our mood when we are feeling down.

By going shopping and purchasing items, we may find a short-term mood boost. This is because shopping releases dopamine in our brains, which helps us experience pleasure and happiness. Shopping gives us a (false) sense of security and we hope for the future by imagining what our future will be like by buying the new item.

However, these feelings are only temporary and often lead to buyer's remorse as soon as the euphoria fades away. Buying things we don't need wreaks havoc on our bank accounts if we're not careful. It can also create a false sense of security that leads us to think that buying something will make us happier than it actually does. We don't always take the time to consider if we really need it or whether or not it fits into our budget.

How Dave Ramsey recommends controlling emotional spending

Dave Ramsey offers some great advice for controlling emotional spending -- starting with creating space between your feelings and your purchases. Before you click "Purchase Now," he recommends to wait and first ask yourself these three questions:

1. Why do I want this item?
2. Will I really use it?
3. Does it fit in my budget?

Even if the answer is yes to all three questions, he recommends waiting overnight before buying something big. This helps you gain perspective and think through whether you really need it or not.

Another recommendation is creating a budget that accounts for every dollar you earn each month so that you know exactly where it's going -- including your savings account! Ramsey recommends using budgeting software so you have a better idea of what you're actually spending money on each month. Sticking to a disciplined budget can help you avoid impulse purchases and falling further into debt,

Additionally, he suggests making a list of wants versus needs. If something isn't absolutely necessary for survival, then chances are it doesn't really need to be purchased right away. Finally, Ramsey advises followers to shop smart by looking for discounts, using coupons, and taking advantage of special deals. With a bit of careful planning, research, and patience, you can stretch your budget and get more bang for your buck.

Overall, understanding why we turn to retail therapy and how it affects us psychologically is key in helping us manage our finances more responsibly. We need to avoid impulse purchases that can put us into debt later down the road. With Ramsey's strategies in mind, we can become more disciplined shoppers who know how to say "no" without giving up what is meaningful in life.