Share, , Google Plus, Pinterest,

Print

Posted in:

Money Matters: Just because it’s viral doesn’t mean you must buy it

When trending items tempt your wallet, choose wisdom over noise

A dress. A gadget. A snack from a gas station on the other side of town.

Something goes viral, and suddenly, we convince ourselves we need it.

But let’s be honest: most of the time, we don’t. We’re not hungry. We’re not cold. We’re not lacking. We’re just … scrolling.

There’s a trend I’ve noticed, and maybe you have, too. A product explodes in popularity, and before we know it, others we follow have convinced us we’re missing out. They’re not mean-spirited; they’re just persuasive. Meanwhile, we’re tired, overstimulated and emotionally vulnerable.

So, we buy it — not because we need it, but because the world told us we should have it.

THE PROBLEM ISN’T THE PRODUCT, IT’S THE PATTERN

We spend money in response to trends, not in alignment with truth. And then what? It arrives. We use it once, maybe twice, and then it gathers dust like so many prior purchases.

I think about the women in my life — brilliant, capable women — who’ve confessed their viral spending regrets. The skincare routine that promised a glass-like complexion but caused breakouts. The gadget that would “change everything” but sits forgotten in a drawer. The dress that looked stunning on the influencer but disappointed in person.

We’re not weak for wanting these things; we’re only human. We’re navigating a world designed to make us feel like we’re always one purchase away from our best life.

Here’s the part no one talks about: Viral spending has a silent cost. It erodes our boundaries. It delays our goals. And it feeds the dangerous lie that if something is popular, it must be necessary.

But what does your wallet say? What does your peace say? What does your future self need more than this momentary thrill?

I’ve learned that the most expensive purchases aren’t always those with the highest price tags. They’re the ones that cost us our clarity. Every impulse buy whispers the same lie: “You’re incomplete without this.” But sister, you were whole before you saw that post. You’ll be whole if you scroll past it, too.

This isn’t about shame; it’s about awareness. We are allowed to enjoy nice things. We are allowed to spend, but not at the expense of our financial freedom or our inner knowing.

SO, BEFORE YOU CLICK “BUY,” TRY ASKING:

  • Do I need this, or do I just want to belong?
  • Am I spending from intention or impulse?
  • Will this still matter to me next month, or even next week?
  • What am I really trying to fill with this purchase?

Let the next viral darling knock; your silence can be the sale they never make. You’re not a data point in someone else’s dashboard; you’re a destiny in progress.

And the next time a flash-sale timer starts its countdown, remember that every dollar you keep is a vote for your own vision. Let the clock run out, and know this: Your money just chose wisdom over noise.

That kind of power? It’s sacred.

Share, , Google Plus, Pinterest,

Written by Janera Harvey

Janera Harvey is a money coach, certified credit counselor and owner of The Credit Journey LLC. Reach her at info@thecreditjourneyllc.com.

17 posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *