What you probably didn’t know about stress

Modern living can often be hectic, we all know that, but what you probably didn’t know about stress is that it can have a negative on your bank balance.

New figures from cashback site GetPaidTo.com reveal that as a nation we spend a whopping £128 million on treating ourselves per year, and that two-thirds of people don’t budget for these treats. With one in five of us spending over £20 on these impulse buys, these figures are serious food for thought when it comes to working out your weekly budget.

Stress response

Ever indulged in a spot of retail therapy after a particular stressful meeting, or dreaded dentist appointment? You’re not alone, with 80 per cent of people admitting that they regularly use shopping as a way of dealing with stressful situations. Karim Wilkins from GetPaidTo says, ‘It’s unsurprising we are using spending as a way to relax’, with many juggling a career with family life and, of course, fitness commitments. With the majority of stress-shoppers buying chocolate or takeaways, and over a third of people buying a bottle of wine, this can have serious health implications if it becomes too much of a habit. All the more reason to book in for that massage or take a duvet day once in a while!

Aside from the potential health risks from impulse buying, with two-thirds of people not budgeting for these splurges, it can also have a negative impact on your pocket. Interestingly, seven per cent of people surveyed last year admitted to buying a new car out of stress-shopping…can’t say that’s something we’ve ever done, but with British weather and delayed transport, we must admit it’s pretty understandable!

Tricks for treats

To avoid dangerous over-spending and ending up in debt, make sure you always stop to think before you buy yourself that after-work treat. Impulse buyers can miss out on significant savings from shopping around to find the best prices, so make sure comparing prices is on your agenda before you hand over the cash. Cashback sites can also often save you up to 20 per cent, which could save the UK as a whole up to £25.6 million a year if we all used them for buying our treats.

To find out more about GetPaidTo, click here.