Credit card spending hits a peak every afternoon. The government data boffins have examined the times when most credit card transactions take place, and in most areas, the afternoon was the busiest. In some areas this was swiftly followed by lunchtime, whereas in others the evenings took second place.
This is a useful window into the five reasons we spend more at these peak times of day – and how to keep this spending under control.
Most people have a natural slump in the afternoon, as their body’s natural rhythms demand a nap and our working day insists that we crack on. It’s why we’re at risk of doing the things that give us a pick-me-up, like eating sweet things, or doing a spot of online shopping.
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If you know this is a risk for you, try to find more positive solutions – like going for a brisk walk – away from the shops. You can also make changes to your diet, and make sure you are properly hydrated – both of which help keep the peaks and troughs under control.
The afternoon energy dip tends to lead us to seek stimulation, which is why we’re more likely to look for variety at this time of day. If you don’t think this applies to you, consider how often you have something different for breakfast compared to lunch and dinner. We’re looking for something new, which can lead to us shopping for it.
If this is a risk for you, and you need to go shopping, plan it for the morning, when you’ll find it much easier to stick to a list.
Life can be full of little trials, at home and at work, so towards the end of the day, we might feel we deserve a reward. If we don’t stop to think about it, this can easily translate into shopping.
Take the time to consider some alternatives. Can you reward yourself by doing something nice for yourself that doesn’t come with a price tag?
Lunchtime shopping and early evening spending are often the result of proximity. We’re hard-wired to browse as we pass shops, or as we scroll through brands on social media on the bus. It’s often a small step from there to spending.
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If this is a risk for you, consider routes that take you past shops that aren’t a temptation, and set yourself social media rules. If you’re only allowed to play games on your phone or listen to books or podcasts on your commute, it saves you from shopping.
This lies behind an awful lot of shopping, especially when we’re too tired to do anything meaningful in the afternoon, or when we’re lounging on the sofa in the evening. Now the shops are at our fingertips, it’s easy to spend without thinking about it.