Current:Home > ContactDo you regret that last purchase via social media? You're certainly not alone. -Stellar Wealth Sphere
Do you regret that last purchase via social media? You're certainly not alone.
View
Date:2025-04-26 16:02:11
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 blinfisher@USATODAY.com 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! (68)
Related
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Lab-grown meat isn’t on store shelves yet, but some states have already banned it
- BHP Group drops its bid for Anglo American, ending plans to create a global mining giant
- Bebe Rexha Details the Painful Cysts She Developed Due to PCOS
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Truckers suing to block New York’s congestion fee for Manhattan drivers
- Gabby Douglas withdraws from national championships, ending bid for Paris Olympics
- Medline recalls 1.5 million adult bed rails following 2 reports of entrapment deaths
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Officer who arrested Scottie Scheffler criticizes attorney but holds ‘no ill will’ toward golfer
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- South Africa’s president faces his party’s worst election ever. He’ll still likely be reelected
- Nearly 1.9 million Fiji water bottles sold through Amazon recalled over bacteria, manganese
- Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized a Palestinian state. Here's why it matters.
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Authorities kill alligator after woman's remains were found lodged inside reptile's jaw
- A group of armed men burns a girls’ school in northwest Pakistan, in third such attack this month
- ‘It’s just me, guys,’ Taylor Swift says during surprise set as fans cheer expecting guest
Recommendation
B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
North Korea’s trash rains down onto South Korea, balloon by balloon. Here’s what it means
Louisiana may soon require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments
A group of armed men burns a girls’ school in northwest Pakistan, in third such attack this month
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Biden to make his first state visit to France after attending D-Day 80th commemorations next week
Roberto Clemente's sons sued for allegedly selling rights to MLB great's life story to multiple parties
Trial postponed in financial dispute over Ohio ancient earthworks deemed World Heritage site