Not Buying It!

WHAT THEY'RE SELLING: Everything! We’ve all been there: Someone you follow on TikTok has a new smartwatch or raves about a new skincare product, and you think, “If it makes them look that good, I need it too!”

THE PROBLEM: When social media stars talk about a brand they love, they are almost always being paid to promote that product—even if it’s not marked as sponsored content. You may think you aren’t affected, but studies show endorsements are powerful. Companies make about $5 back for every $1 they pay an online influencer.

MONEY-SAVING HACK: Reminding yourself that celebrities get paid to promote brands and products can help keep your FOMO under control. If you see something you feel you must have, put it in your cart, then wait a day—after 24 hours, you may realize you don’t really need it.

WHAT THEY'RE SELLING: Caffeinated concoctions with fancy names that look pretty on Instagram and taste like a sugary dessert.

THE PROBLEM: If you buy a $4.75 caramel macchiato every day, your coffee habit will set you back about $33 a week, $132 a month, and a whopping $1,584 per year! Even a once-a-week habit adds up to $247 over a year. (And you already know all that caffeine and sugar isn’t great for your physical health either.)

MONEY-SAVING HACK: Get a fancy-tasting drink without the fancy price tag by asking the barista to add flavored syrup to an inexpensive cup of decaf coffee or plain steamed milk. At many shops, you can even add whipped cream for no extra charge! Or switch to tea—it usually costs less than coffee, and you can jazz it up with milk, honey, or lemon.

WHAT THEY'RE SELLING: Name-brand and designer products, clothes, and shoes. You know they cost more than you want to spend, so you’re planning just to window shop . . . well, maybe you’ll try something on, but that’s it.

THE PROBLEM: The mall’s entire environment is designed to get you to spend, says Brynn Winegard, who studies the science of consumer behavior. A gigantic sale sign lures you into the store, but the bargains are hidden in the back, so to get to them you have to walk past all the eye-catching full-price items. Meanwhile, the lighting, the piped-in scent, and the background music are all specially crafted to boost your mood and make you linger. “The longer you spend in a store, the more likely you are to buy,” she says.

MONEY-SAVING HACK: Next time you go to the mall with friends, bring only as much cash as you are comfortable spending. If you fall in love with something pricey, take a selfie, then put the item back on the rack. If you still want it a week later, think about adding it to your birthday list or making it a reward for yourself for reaching a goal (like finishing your science project).

WHAT THEY'RE SELLING: Food, ambience, and a place to hang out with your friends.

THE PROBLEM: It’s expensive! You pay about three or four times more for food in a restaurant than you would for the same food if you were to make it yourself at home. That may not be a big deal if it’s an occasional treat, but surveys show the average teen spends about $20 a week dining out. That’s more than $80 a month and $1,040 a year!

MONEY-SAVING HACK: Order tap water instead of soda to save $2 to $3 every time you eat out, and order only as much food as you know you’ll actually eat—otherwise you’ll be throwing your money in the trash along with those leftover fries. Or just order an appetizer—they’re often as big as an entree!