Current:Home > FinanceDo you regret that last purchase via social media? You're certainly not alone. -MoneyBase
Do you regret that last purchase via social media? You're certainly not alone.
View
Date:2025-04-15 04:12:32
That love-hate relationship with social media extends to purchases, too.
In a new study by Wallethub, nearly 3 in 4 people have made an "unnecessary purchase" via social media. Two out of 3 Americans believe social media is encouraging overspending. And nearly 1 in 5 of those surveyed about their social media purchases categorized them as scams.
"Social media is such a key component to most people's lives nowadays and it's become such a powerhouse as far as online shopping and advertising goes," Cassandra Happe, a Wallethub analyst told USA TODAY.
"We wanted to get a sense of how consumers are handling social media shopping and what their views are as far as whether it's a worthwhile platform to use for shopping and if it's really beneficial as far as how it impacts their finances," she said, in explaining the study.
Here are some other findings from the survey:
◾ 46% of people said social media is a bad influence on their debt.
◾ Social media made 36% of the respondents say it made them feel frustrated about their own finances.
◾ Nearly 2 in 5 Americans are trying to falsely present a good financial image online when that's not real.
◾ 63% of people said they regretted a purchase they've made via social media.
◾ 36% of respondents said they'd spend less if they deleted their social media apps.
The survey did not specifically ask consumers whether they were influenced in their purchases by their friends or posts they've seen from influencers, but Happe said 43% of respondents said they viewed a celebrity recommendation via social media as bad.
Uncomfortable Conversations:What is financial infidelity and how can you come clean?
"People of any age and background are susceptible to getting caught up in social media consumerism, so it’s important to ask yourself whether you really need a given item you see on social media," Happe said in a press release. "Sleeping on a purchase before completing it is a wise move as well.”
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on X, Facebook, or Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays, here.
veryGood! (19)
Related
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Amazon lowers cost of health care plan for Prime members to $9 a month
- Voters in Ohio backed a measure protecting abortion rights. Here’s how Republicans helped
- Israel-Hamas war said to have left 10,300 dead in Gaza and displaced 70% of its population in a month
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Ukraine takes credit for the car bomb killing of a Russia-backed official in Luhansk
- Massachusetts to begin denying shelter beds to homeless families, putting names on a waitlist
- Woman charged with threatening federal judge in abortion pill case arrested in Florida
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Mega Millions winning numbers for Nov. 7 drawing: Jackpot rises $223 million
Ranking
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- German government advisers see only modest economic growth next year
- Disney reports sharp profit growth in the fourth quarter; shares rise
- FDA approves a new weight loss drug, Zepbound from Eli Lilly
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Missouri Supreme Court hears case on latest effort to block Planned Parenthood funding
- Liberal and moderate candidates take control of school boards in contentious races across US
- Green slime or not? New Yorkers confused over liquid oozing from sewers but it's just dye
Recommendation
Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
Gas prices are plunging below $3 a gallon in some states. Here's what experts predict for the holidays.
Baltimore Ravens' Roquan Smith says his 'career is not going down the drain' after trade
Bob Woodruff returns to Iraq roadside where bomb nearly killed him 17 years ago
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
Pregnant Ashley Benson and Brandon Davis Are Married
Voters in in small Iowa city decide not to give their City Council more control over library books
Suspect in custody in recent fatal stabbing of Detroit synagogue leader