Doom Spending: When Existential Dread Hits Your Shopping Cart

In the golden age of irony, perhaps nothing is more on-brand than doom spending—that uncanny modern habit of spending money like the world’s ending, precisely because it might feel like it is.

As inflation simmers, geopolitics gets messier, and interest rates continue their tango with our blood pressure, Americans are responding in a very 2025 way: they’re clicking “add to cart.” Only this time, it’s not just a splurge—it’s a coping mechanism.

A New Label for an Old Feeling

Doom spending isn’t new, per se. People have long self-soothed with a new pair of shoes, a plane ticket, or a slightly unjustifiable espresso machine. What’s new is the vibe: we’re not shopping to celebrate—we’re shopping to cope. And we're self-aware enough to meme it in real-time.

According to a February 2025 survey from CreditCards.com, 1 in 5 Americans admit they’ve made unnecessary purchases out of economic anxiety, with nearly 30% citing fears about rising tariffs as a trigger. For younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials—whose idea of “normal economic conditions” is a fever dream—the behavior feels almost rational. If you’re not sure your avocado toast budget will outlast a recession, why not enjoy the ride down?

Why We Doom Spend

At its core, doom spending is psychological. It’s a way to reclaim a sense of control—or at least a hit of serotonin—when external forces feel overwhelming. “There’s a logic to the illogic,” notes therapist Jessica England, LPC, in Verywell Mind’s breakdown of the trend. “If the future feels unstable, the brain seeks comfort now.”

You know the drill: a news notification about market volatility, a sigh, a scroll, and suddenly you’ve ordered three new sweaters from a site with free returns and vague moral guilt. You’re not alone.

This behavior overlaps with emotional spending, but doom spending carries a signature flavor: a pinch of existential dread, a sprinkle of gallows humor, and a deep knowledge that you’ll probably regret it… later. Right now, you just really need that air fryer.

The Cost of Comfort

Of course, fleeting comfort isn’t free. By the end of 2024, U.S. credit card debt hit $1.21 trillion, the highest on record, with delinquencies quietly rising. (Federal Reserve Bank of New York) That espresso machine might bring you joy, but the 23.4% APR won’t.

Economic uncertainty isn’t just driving spending—it’s changing how people spend. Fear of future price hikes (especially with talk of new tariffs on Chinese imports) has led many to preemptively make “big ticket” purchases. This includes electronics, home appliances, and, in some cases, used cars. Essentially: people are stockpiling dopamine.

And while some economists suggest this consumer activity may buoy short-term GDP, it’s not exactly a sustainable macroeconomic strategy. If the financial system is a house, doom spending is like turning up the thermostat while ignoring the faulty wiring.

A Culture of Spending in Crisis Mode

Doom spending also has a cultural dimension. We’ve meme-ified our stress. TikTokers casually joke about buying $200 shoes as “emotional support footwear.” Reddit threads dissect the ethics of buying luxury skincare during a recession. It’s financial nihilism dressed up in well-lit content—an “eat the rich” attitude, paired with a desire to look good while doing it.

Yet underneath the humor is real tension. According to a 2024 Verywell Mind mental health survey, 64% of Gen Z respondents said financial stress impacts their mental well-being, with many pointing to unstable housing markets, student debt, and rising costs as key stressors. This isn’t just about bad impulse control—it’s about an entire generation trying to stay sane while feeling like the system has already failed them.

Is Doom Spending All Bad?

Here’s the twist: Not entirely.

A little emotional spending can be fine—if it’s budgeted, conscious, and doesn’t derail your financial goals. Humans are emotional creatures, and small indulgences can offer comfort, ritual, and even joy. The key is knowing when a treat becomes a pattern.

The danger is when doom spending becomes a lifestyle. That’s when short-term gratification morphs into long-term instability. And unlike the serotonin boost from your online order, that debt balance doesn’t go away with a “buy now, pay later” plan.

Smarter Coping (Without Killing Joy)

So what’s a modern mortal to do in this late-capitalist fever dream?

First, recognize your triggers. Are you scrolling marketplaces after bad news? Are you shopping when you’re overwhelmed, bored, or underslept? Emotional patterns often precede financial ones.

Then, create a “fun fund”—a small, guilt-free budget line for emotional purchases. This acknowledges your feelings without letting them run the show. Use apps like YNAB or Monarch Money to stay intentional.

And if you really want to level up, try the 72-hour rule: when something expensive tempts you, wait three days. If you still want it, you can probably afford it—mentally and financially. If not, congrats: you just saved money and proved you have main character energy.

The Future of Doom Spending

If you think this is a passing fad, think again. Doom spending isn’t going anywhere—at least not while headlines remain chaotic and emotional labor is offloaded onto credit cards. But recognizing it, naming it, and laughing about it (while also budgeting for it) gives us a way to hold power over our wallets again.

Because the truth is: the world may feel unsteady, but your bank account doesn’t have to join the chaos.

So next time you feel the itch to spend when you’re stressed, remember—no object can save you from uncertainty. But a well-crafted budget, a therapist, and maybe a little retail mindfulness? That’s how we shop like there’s a tomorrow.

**Disclaimer: This blog may include AI-generated content derived from web crawling, and it features quotes from original cited inline or public sources. The information presented is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current data or information available. While we strive for accuracy, we encourage readers to verify the information from original sources or reach out to a certified financial adviser for important financial decisions.