Why We Spend Money On Stuff We Don't Need

There's a reason you just HAD to buy that new tech gadget you didn't really need. Anthony shows us the science behind the things we love.

Learn More:
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Encodes Emotional Value

Brain sets prices with emotional value
"You might be falling in love with that new car, but you probably wouldn't pay as much for it if you could resist the feeling."

"Playin' with my money is like playin' with my emotions!"

Watch More:
The Value of Money
Cost of Living On Mars
Shots of Awe: Ecstatic Surrender
____________________

DNews is dedicated to satisfying your curiosity and to bringing you mind-bending stories & perspectives you won't find anywhere else! New videos twice daily.

[dannyfz]

I cut my money into sections: needs, food, wants, and savings before u even touch my money. There was an instance last week that I wanted a haircut and I had to pull out a 20 from my savings accnt, but that is really uncommon. Aside from that one time, my system ussually works

[jdw]

I think it's about training yourself to frugal as well, usually negative experiences like being broke for a long time helps as well as not window shopping for a while. B/c I don't window shop, whenever I go into store I think "do I really need this? I have lived for x-amount of time without it." Also, having people with good self restraint that don't mind asking those questions helps. My biggest thing with big purchases is I never buy them on the spot.

[Strawbz]

I have anxiety so when i walk into a shop i never really feel relaxed, therefor i never spend huge amounts of money, never! im hoarding it all, good in some ways, bad in others

[lilwilj]

What you say, 'the only thing you can do for now is become aware of it' is very true. Once you see the dynamic, you can break it

[Chewibub]

I have never felt compelled to waste money. I always thought it was just a childish urge that some have and never got over. I usually only ever buy things that are neccessary, and occassionally spend money at social things, but never too much. Will power FTW!

[falnica]

It just proves that we assign value to things throw our feelings toward them. As long as I can control how I feel towards something I am not bound to buy it.

[jinmunsuen]

When I first see something I want, I usually wait a week to a couple of months for the price to drop and to see if I still need/want it. I'm not a very rich person and I'd hate the idea of being broke. :<

[ninjangleo]

I control myself VERY well. Even when I buy from a whim, it's because that day I gave myself permission to go into a store and buy whatever I feel I want. My rule is "If I'm going to use this at least three (3) times a month, it's worth it"

[LawlaLeyshonArchives]

I'm terrible for buying things that are on sale, or things that are a lot cheaper than I'd expect. My boyfriend always reminds me about the time when I bought a wall clock.
I already have a wall clock in my room, and I have nowhere else to put it.
It's now wrapped up in the top of my wardrobe. Totally needed it.

[SouloftheWolfGod]

I'm watching this video on an iPod I bought for myself that I didn't need. You tell me.

[xxmariannaxx]

I have experienced that countless of times. For example I like this shirt and I love how it looks. The price is $75. I have a plan that I won't spend more than $50 on clothes unless it's a formal dress. If I still don't care I put it down and think "do I really need this? will my life go on without it?" It works.

[mitchellpark]

My rule is that If I see something I really want, I have to pick it up and hold it... finish walking around the store, go back to where the item was and then reassess the value again at the end asking myself 'do I really want this and do I really need this' comparing the value to other things I could have for the same value.
9 times out of 10 I end up putting stuff back and just buying what I needed or leaving... still get the rush from it, but end up with less crap Im going to throw away or regret buying. Im always surprised how many things are novelty value and I end up putting back

[BaoNguyen-ztmm]

I use to buy things and not use them. but now, i try not to buy things i don't need. I try to horde my money, when i have a little extra, i spend it on clothes or things i really like.

[sennaweasley]

I'm bad at not buying things. I tend to put things back in the shelf and tell myself that if I really want it, I'll come back for it some other day... hoping I'll forget it. The problem is that I generally do come back. Often times the item is not there anymore.

[fifilamborgini]

COULD YOU PLEASE DO A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND SOMEWHERE? you could go through past incidents of people being stranded and how they survived.

[chairshoe]

Hey, that looks really really good, I want that, I'll use my credit card.

[TheBlkKat]

To downplay that urge to buy something on the spot I ask myself these questions: Do I need it or do I want it. If it is considered an actual need (ie food, personal hygiene, etc)then I ask if I already have said item and how long will it last me. If the item is a want (movie, clothing, shoes etc) then I ask myself if I would actually use it and if I really want it then I will wait until the next payday or for it to go on sale (which ever comes first.)

[shevvyever]

I have a rule that if I'm making a huge purchase ($30 and higher), I must wait a few weeks or even a few months to see if I'm still interested and financially able to buy it. If I am still financially able and interested, I buy it. This helps tackle my online shopping addiction.

[BLACKNEND]

I try my best to watch what I buy. When I'm about to buy a whole bunch of stuff that's for entertainment purposes, (such as games), I usually add all the prices to see how much I'm gonna be spending before I head on over to the checkout lane.

[Lumilan]

I know exactly how you feel! Too bad there's still no ammo out there.... But I guess that has saved me a little money XD