{"id":5408,"date":"2025-10-29T22:02:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T22:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beyondfinance.com\/blog\/?p=5408"},"modified":"2026-05-08T17:56:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T17:56:20","slug":"is-your-social-media-habit-costing-you-more-than-you-think","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beyondfinance.com\/blog\/is-your-social-media-habit-costing-you-more-than-you-think\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Social Media Habit Costing You More Than You Think?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reviewed by <\/em>Dr. Erika Rasure<\/em><\/a>, PhD, CFT\u2122<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, social media was a place to people-watch, interact and reconnect. But that initial premise was soon infused with money \u2014 and now, 70%<\/a> of all active Instagram users shop on the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means that using social media is no longer just a way to burn time and relax. And if you\u2019re an active user, that means you\u2019re at risk of being influenced into spending your hard-earned cash. This type of window shopping can take a toll \u2014 and not just on your wallet, but on your mental well-being, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Emotional Price of Constant Comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Social media isn\u2019t designed to make you feel content<\/a>. Everything your feed presents you is a bid for your attention, money or data \u2014 and usually, it\u2019s all three. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there are subtle ways that social media can prey on your insecurities<\/a>, costing you both money and self-esteem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of all the times you see videos of perfect homes, vacations or bodies. Presenting you with an idealized version of reality is a great trick to try to sell you on the normalcy of excess \u2014 and for many, it works all too well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gap between your reality and what you see online can trigger stress<\/a>, anxiety and even depression. And when you\u2019re feeling down, it\u2019s easy to chase comfort through spending. After all, buying something like what you saw online can make you feel closer to achieving the \u201cideal\u201d \u2014 but that momentary belonging is usually all-too short lived. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the high of your purchase, you\u2019re faced with the reality of your actual budget (or the debt and guilt that comes with overspending). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Tell if Social Media Hurts More Than Helps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to abandon social media entirely to protect your peace, but it\u2019s worth checking in with yourself (especially before you break out the credit card<\/a>). Here are some warning signs for when you need to put down the phone and take a break:<\/p>\n\n\n\n