What is “Doom Spending”?
It’s that 11:30 PM “Add to Cart” click, fueled not by desire, but by a sense of dread about the future.
Section 1: The “Doom”
This isn’t about a single bad day. It’s a response to chronic, large-scale anxieties. We asked people what anxieties most fuel their impulsive spending.
This chart shows the primary drivers of anxiety-based spending. Economic instability and the housing crisis are the most significant factors, creating a sense of hopelessness that spending provides temporary relief from.
Section 2: The “Spending”
This behavior is different from traditional “retail therapy.” It’s less about a small treat and more about a desperate grasp for control and joy.
Retail Therapy
- Motive: A bad day
- Feeling: Sadness, boredom
- Scale: Small, occasional
- Result: Minor guilt
Doom Spending
- Motive: Existential dread
- Feeling: Hopelessness
- Scale: Large, chronic
- Result: Deep guilt, more anxiety
So, what are people buying?
Section 3: The Vicious Cycle
Doom spending offers a temporary high, but it often leads to a cycle of escalating anxiety and guilt. This process illustrates the trap.
Feel Existential Anxiety
(Economy, Climate, Future)
Seek Instant Relief & Control
Make Impulsive “Doom Spend”
(Luxury item, tech, travel)
Temporary Dopamine Hit
(Relief. Joy. Control.)
High Fades, Guilt Arrives
(Financial stress increases)
Section 4: “Financial Nihilism”
For many, saving feels futile when major goals like homeownership seem impossible. This chart visualizes the “why bother” mindset by comparing average savings to the average cost of a home.
The “Remaining Cost” bar is so large that it makes the “Current Savings” bar almost invisible. When faced with this gap, spending $200 on headphones feels insignificant, providing a tangible joy that saving $200 does not.
The Takeaway
“Doom spending” isn’t a personal failing. It’s a very human symptom of a world that feels unstable and overwhelming.
Understanding it is the first step toward finding healthier ways to cope and regain a sense of control.