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Getting out of credit card debt may be easier by taking advantage of balance transfers. Moving your high-interest debt to another credit card with a lower interest rate can save you on interest and also allow you to streamline multiple debt payments into one.

Before you take the leap, it’s important to know how to do a balance transfer on a credit card. It’s also critical to know what to look for when choosing a balance transfer card to help ensure that making this financial move pays off.

How Do Credit Card Balance Transfers Work?

Completing a balance transfer is one way that you can effectively pay a credit card bill with another card. A credit card balance transfer allows you to take the balance from one or multiple credit cards and transfer it to a new credit card.

Ideally, you’re transferring the balance to a credit card with a lower interest rate. Some balance transfer credit cards even offer a 0% introductory annual percentage rate, or APR, for a predetermined amount of time, which can allow you to focus on paying down your balance without accruing interest.

Balance transfers can also allow you to simplify your payment schedule by rolling all of your credit card debts onto one new card that you’ll then work on paying off. That way, you’ll only have to worry about one monthly payment rather than multiple due dates and minimum required payments. However, you’ll likely incur a balance transfer fee in order to move over your balance to the new card.

Keep in mind that while credit card balance transfers are helpful when it comes to potentially saving on interest and simplifying payments, they aren’t an instant way to get out of debt. You need to commit to using a credit card responsibly by making on-time payments and avoiding getting into more debt. You’ll also want to ensure that you can pay off your balance before any promotional APR offer ends, at which point the interest rate will increase.

What to Consider When Choosing a Balance Transfer Credit Card

Before opening a new credit card and requesting a balance transfer, you’ll want to know a few things. Specifically, make sure you know how long the introductory APR offer will last, if there is one, as well as the types of debt you can transfer and the fees you may need to pay. That way, you can ensure you choose a credit card that meets your needs.

Length of the Introductory APR Offer

Many credit cards, in an effort to gain your business, will offer introductory APRs for as low as 0% — though you’ll most likely need good or excellent credit to qualify for these cards. When doing your research, make sure to look at how long the introductory period is, as they can last anywhere from six to 21 months.

Due to how credit cards work, once the introductory period ends, the credit card issuer will charge you their normal APR — and it could be higher than your old credit card. That’s why it’s critical to assess whether the introductory period will provide enough time for you to pay off your balance in full.

Recommended: What is a Charge Card

Types of Debt You Can Transfer

Different credit card issuers will have varying policies on what types of debt you can transfer. Aside from credit card debt, you may be able to transfer other types of debt, such as:

•   Personal loans

•   Auto loans

•   Medical debt

•   Retail or store cards

•   Student loans

Additionally, keep in mind that issuers may not allow balance transfers from certain cards.

If you know there’s a certain type of debt you’d like to transfer, make sure to check with a credit card issuer to find out what is or isn’t allowed before signing up for a new card.

Balance Transfer Fees

Although you may not have to pay interest if you have a 0% APR introductory period, you may still have to pay a balance transfer fee. This fee is usually either a percentage of your transfer amount — typically 3% to 5% — or a flat fee, depending on the card issuer. For example, if you want to transfer $6,000 and the credit card issuer charges a 3% balance transfer fee, you’ll need to pay $180.

It’s important to factor this fee into the equation to ensure making a balance transfer will actually save you money. You should be able to find out what the balance transfer fee is by looking at the cardholder agreement for the credit card.

Timeline for Balance Transfers

Some credit card issuers have deadlines as to when you can conduct a balance transfer after opening a card. For instance, you may only have a matter of weeks from when you open the card to transfer over your balance.

The exact timeline will vary from issuer to issuer, so make sure to take a look at your issuer’s credit card rules, and be prepared to act when you get your new card.

How to Transfer A Credit Card Balance to Another Card: Step by Step

If you decide you want to transfer existing debt to another credit card, you’ll first need to take stock of your current debts and their interest rates. Also determine how much of your debt you want to transfer. From there, here’s how to do a credit card balance transfer.

1. Apply for a Balance Transfer Card

Once you’ve picked the balance transfer credit card you want, it’s time to apply for it. To do so, you’ll need to submit the required information, which may include your name, address, Social Security number and income.

Additionally, you may be subject to a hard credit inquiry, which could temporarily affect your credit score. If you’re approved, you can take the next steps.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score

2. Transfer the Balance

Contact your new credit card issuer to ask what the exact steps are to conduct a balance transfer, and to find out whether it’s possible to transfer the amount you want to. When it comes to how to transfer a balance from one card to another, there may be several methods available to you, including:

•   Online transfer: You may be able to log into your online account and request a transfer by filling out a form. In some cases, you may be able to request a balance transfer online when you fill out your credit card application.

•   Phone transfer: You may be able to call the number on the back of your credit card and make a transfer over the phone. Make sure you have all the required details on hand before calling.

•   Balance transfer checks: Some credit card companies issue you checks to make the balance transfer. You’ll make the check payable to the credit card company from which you want to make the transfer. Just make sure to ask whether this will be considered a cash advance (that’s what you’d do if you were trying to transfer money from a credit card to a bank account, and it generally has a higher interest rate).

3. Wait for the Balance Transfer to Go Through

After you’ve made your request, you’ll need to wait for your new credit card to finish processing the balance transfer. In the meantime, keep your old credit card open and continue to make payments on any amount that’s due. That way, you’re not on the hook for a late payment, which could lead to late fees and have an effect on your credit.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due

4. Pay Off Your Balance

Once the balance transfer is complete, you can start paying it down. Follow the terms stated on your cardholder agreement to ensure that you continue to qualify for the introductory APR — for instance, some issuers may revoke your rate if you make late payments.

Aim to pay off the entire balance before the introductory period is over and a higher interest rate kicks in.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

Credit Card Balance Transfer vs Personal Loans: What’s the Difference?

Both credit card balance transfers and personal loans give you the opportunity to save on high-interest debt, but there are key differences between the two. For one, personal loans are a type of installment loan, where you borrow a lump sum of money and pay it back over time. Meanwhile, a credit card is a type of revolving credit that allows you to keep borrowing money up to your credit limit as long as you pay down your balance.

Personal loans tend to charge interest right when the loan is disbursed, whereas with a credit card, you may be able to take advantage of an introductory APR, if you qualify for one. However, balance transfers tend to have lower limits compared to personal loans. Plus, personal loans may offer lower interest rates compared to a credit card’s purchase APR, which is what will kick in after the promotional period ends.

Recommended: What is the Average Credit Card Limit

Doing a Credit Card Balance Transfer: What to Know

Getting a credit card balance transfer can help you manage your debt, but isn’t the answer for everyone. To decide whether it’s right for you, determine the amount of debt you want to transfer and see whether it’s likely the amount will be within the credit limit of your new credit card. If you have a high amount of debt, a personal loan may be a better choice.

In addition, a balance transfer only makes sense if you can qualify for a lower interest rate than you have with your current credit card. If your credit score isn’t that great, you may not qualify for an introductory APR offer. In this case, it may be better to seek alternatives, such as taking out a personal loan or sticking with your current credit card until you can raise your credit score and qualify for a better card.

Recommended: Can You Buy Crypto With a Credit Card

The Takeaway

Knowing the specifics of how to transfer a credit card balance can help you determine if doing so is financially smart. Take the time to calculate the fees you may be paying for a balance transfer, and compare that amount to how much you’d be saving on interest charges. If the fee you’d pay is much lower than the interest charges, transferring a balance from one card to another may be worth it.

Looking for a new credit card?

FAQ

Do balance transfers affect your credit score?

Balance transfers can affect your credit score since you’re applying for new credit, which may result in a hard credit inquiry. This can cause a temporary drop in your score.

How long does it take to transfer a balance from one credit card to another?

Typically, a balance transfer takes anywhere from five to seven days. However, it may take up to a few weeks to complete depending on your credit card issuer.

How do you qualify for a balance transfer?

You typically need a good or excellent credit score — meaning 670 or above — to get approved for a balance transfer credit card.

Photo credit: iStock/CentralITAlliance

¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.


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In a perfect world, you’d be able to zap away debt in a flash. But the reality is, sprinting through payments on high-interest debt isn’t exactly easy to do. That’s because you’ll still need to juggle staying on top of bills and covering daily expenses, among other financial obligations.

If you’re wondering whether it’s better to pay off your credit card or keep a balance, the answer largely depends on your particular set of circumstances. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of paying off credit cards in full vs. over time to help you determine if you should pay off your credit card in full or space payments out a bit.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due

Does Paying Down Credit Cards Slowly Affect Your Credit Score?

Paying off credit cards slowly can impact your credit score because it can affect your credit utilization, which makes up 30% of your consumer credit score. When you’re slow to pay off your credit card balance, your credit utilization — or how much of your total credit you’re using — can be higher. A higher credit utilization rate can adversely affect your credit score.

What Is Credit Utilization?

Credit utilization measures how much credit you have against how much credit you’ve used. This ratio is expressed as a percentage. You can find your credit utilization ratio by dividing your total credit card balances by your total credit limits across all of your cards.

How Credit Utilization Works

As we discussed, credit utilization is expressed as a percentage, and you can find it by dividing your credit card balances by your credit limits. As an example, let’s say you have three credit cards, and your total credit limit across those cards is $30,000. The total of your credit card balances on all three cards is $9,000.

In that case, your credit utilization is 30%, as demonstrated by the math below:

Credit limit on Card 1: $8,000
Credit limit on Card 2: $12,000
Credit limit on Card 3: $10,000

Total credit limit: $8,000 + $12,000 + $8,000 = $30,000
Total balances across Cards 1, 2, and 3: $9,000

$9,000 / $30,000 = 0.30, or 30%

Recommended: What is the Average Credit Card Limit

How Credit Utilization Can Affect Your Score

The lower your credit utilization, the better it is for your credit score. It’s generally recommended to keep your credit utilization ratio under 30% to avoid negative effects on your score. Keeping your score below this threshold indicates to lenders and creditors that you aren’t stretched financially, are a responsible user of credit, and have available credit that you can tap in to.

If you’re wondering, do credit card companies like it when you pay in full? The answer is that it certainly helps with your credit score, as a low credit utilization ratio can positively impact your credit score, and credit card companies generally look more favorably upon higher credit scores.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

Differences Between Paying a Credit Card in Full vs Over Time

Trying to determine whether you should pay off your credit card in full? Here are some of the key differences between paying off credit cards in full compared to making payments over time:

Recommended: What is a Charge Card

Reasons to Always Pay Off Your Credit Card in Full

When it comes to paying off your credit card in full, there are a handful of reasons why it could be a good idea:

•   Helps with your credit score: As we talked about, paying off your card balance means keeping a lower credit utilization, which can help keep you maintain a solid score.

•   Frees up money for other goals: By paying off your credit card bill sooner than later, you’ll free up that money you were putting toward debt payments. In turn, you’ll have “extra” cash to put toward savings, retirement, and your short-term and long-term goals.

•   Allows you to save on interest: The longer you stretch out your payments, the more you’ll end up paying in interest. By paying off your credit card in full each statement cycle, you won’t owe interest, given how credit card payments work.

Reasons to Pay Down Your Credit Card Over Time

While it may be ideal to pay off your credit card all at once, credit card debt is hard to pay off — especially when you’re spinning a lot of plates money-wise. Let’s take a look at why you might opt to pay down your credit card over time instead:

•   Allows for a more manageable debt payment schedule: Paying down your credit card over time won’t put pressure on you to cut back on your living expenses, or find ways you earn more so you can pay off your credit card balance more quickly. Depending on your situation, gradually making payments might feel like the more reasonable route.

•   Frees up money now: By not focusing on aggressively paying off your credit cards, you can potentially work on other money goals, such as saving for retirement or creating an emergency fund. Still, you’ll want to at the very least make your credit card minimum payment to avoid the consequences of credit card late payment.

Strategies for Paying Off Credit Card Debt

If the idea of paying off your credit card debt feels overwhelming, here are a few popular strategies to consider for crushing your debt.

Debt Avalanche Method

With the debt avalanche method, you focus on paying off the card with the highest interest rate first. Meanwhile, you’ll continue making the minimum payments on all of your other accounts.

Once your account with the highest interest rate is paid off, you’ll move on to focusing on the account with the next highest rate, continuing to make minimum payments on the others. You’ll continue this cycle until all of your debt is paid off.

The major benefit of this method is that you’ll save on interest payments.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

Snowball Method

In this strategy, you make the minimum payments on all your cards by the credit card payment due date. Then, you put any remaining funds toward paying off the card with the lowest balance. Once that’s paid off, you move on to the card with the next lowest balance.

The main advantage of the snowball method is that it keeps you motivated to continue to pay off your debt. That’s because it feels good to get a card paid off, which is easier to do with a card that has a lower balance.

Debt Consolidation

With debt consolidation, you take out a new loan that you then use to pay off all of your outstanding debts. This effectively rolls all of your credit card payments into a single fixed payment each month.

In turn, debt consolidation can simplify your payments, and potentially lower your payments. However, depending on the new payment schedule and terms, you might end up paying more in interest over the course of the loan. Also keep in mind that you’ll generally need a decent credit score to qualify for debt consolidation.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score

When Carrying a Balance Hurts Your Credit Score

Carrying a balance on your credit card hurts your score if it pushes your credit utilization too high. You’ll want to keep your credit utilization under 30% to avoid adverse effects.

Keeping a low balance, which decreases your credit utilization, can help your credit score. Besides paying off your cards, other ways to lower your credit utilization are to open a new credit card or request a credit limit increase. Both of these actions will increase your overall credit limit, thus potentially improving your credit utilization rate.

Recommended: Can You Buy Crypto With a Credit Card

The Takeaway

While paying a credit card in full can help with your credit utilization, which also can improve your score, it’s not always realistic. You’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of both paying off credit cards in full and making payments over time to see which one is right for your current situation.

While making credit card payments is one way to lower your credit utilization, another option is opening a new credit card.

If you’re looking for a new credit card, you might apply for a credit card with SoFi.

FAQ

Is it better to pay off your credit card or carry a balance?

While paying off your credit card in full can help with your credit utilization ratio and save you on interest, spreading out your payments over time might make debt payoff more manageable. Which approach is best depends on your financial situation and preferences.

Does completely paying off a credit card raise your credit score?

Paying off a credit card can lower your credit utilization, which can positively affect your credit score.

Why did my credit score go down when I paid off my credit card?

Paying off your credit card doesn’t usually bring down your credit score. However, your credit score may drop if you closed your account after paying it off, as that can impact your credit mix or the average age of your accounts. It could also decrease your available credit, which can drive up your credit utilization.

Do credit card companies like it when you pay in full?

Paying in full shows creditors that you’re a responsible cardholder and that you have the financial means to pay off what you owe. It can also help to improve your credit score, which credit card companies look upon favorably.

Photo credit: iStock/Foxyburrow

¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .


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If you’re currently without a job — either temporarily or permanently — you may be wondering: ‘Do you need a job to get a credit card?’ While the answer will depend on your unique financial situation, know that it is possible to get a credit card with no job.

But even if you can get a credit card with no job, there are potential risks in borrowing money without a steady source of income. Here’s how you can get a credit card with no job, as well as the pros and cons to consider before you do.

Can You Get a Credit Card With No Job?

If you don’t have a full-time or regular job, you may still be able to get approved for a credit card. However, you may need to show other means of being able to pay your credit card obligations due to how credit cards work.

When applying for a credit card, credit card issuers are required to consider your ability to repay your debts when considering whether to approve your application. To determine whether you meet this credit card requirement, they’ll typically look at your income from a job or other sources. If you’re attempting to get a credit card with no job, this could include unemployment benefits, self-employment income, shared household income or retirement income.

What Does the Credit Card Act of 2009 Say?

The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (also known as the Credit CARD Act) is the federal law that governs many interactions between credit card issuers and applicants. One thing that the Credit Card Act of 2009 did was prevent credit card companies from issuing new cards to applicants under 21 years of age unless they have an adult cosigner or have proof of income. This makes it more difficult for young adults without a job to get their own credit card.

Guide to Listing Income on Your Credit Card Application

One of the biggest credit card rules is that you should always be completely truthful on your credit card application. If you don’t have a job or income, you should state that rather than inflating or lying about your total income.

If your issuer finds out that your application was not completely accurate, they may close your account. In turn, this could damage your credit.

Types of Income That You Can Report on a Credit Card Application

Now that you know the answer to the question, ‘can you apply for a credit card without a job?’, you’ll need to know how to fill out your application. You can use a variety of different types of income on your credit card application. Here are a few of the most common:

•   Employment income: Money you earn from employment is the most common source of income on credit card applications. This can include money from a seasonal or irregular job.

•   Self-employment income: If you have your own business, you can also include that on a credit card application. This can include money from contract or freelance work.

•   Unemployment benefits: Another potential source of credit card application income is unemployment benefits. If you’re temporarily out of work and receiving unemployment insurance benefits, you can include that on a credit card application.

•   Shared household income: The Credit CARD Act of 2009 states that you can include as income any money that you would reasonably expect to have access to. This could include a spouse’s income or an allowance provided by a family member.

•   Retirement income: Retirement benefits like a pension or Social Security are also considered an acceptable form of income for credit card applications. This also includes distributions from a retirement account.

Guide to Getting a Credit Card With No Job

If you don’t have a job and your other sources of income aren’t enough to get a standard credit card, then you do have a few other options you can consider.

Opt for a Secured Card

One option to consider is applying for a secured credit card. With a secured credit card, you generally make a refundable initial deposit. This deposit then serves as your total credit line. It is generally easier to get approved for secured credit cards than traditional, or unsecured, credit cards.

Become an Authorized User

Another possibility is to become an authorized user on a credit card. When you’re an authorized user on someone else’s account, only the primary account holder is legally and financially responsible for all purchases on the account. And if the primary account holder uses the card responsibly, it can help raise your credit score, even if you’re only an authorized user.

Consider a Cosigner

If you have a trusted friend or family member, you might also look at getting a credit card cosigner. Some credit card companies may not approve you for a new credit card on your own, but they may approve you if you have someone who will co-sign your application.

Keep in mind that a cosigner will be legally and financially on the hook for your purchases, so it may be difficult to find someone willing to cosign for you.

Look Into a Student Credit Card

Many card issuers offer a type of credit card marketed toward students. If you’re a student with a limited credit history and no income, you may stand a better chance of getting approved for a student credit card than a traditional credit card. Plus, these cards may have low fees and offer rewards tailored to students’ typical spending habits.

Pros and Cons of Getting a Credit Card When Unemployed

It is possible to get a credit card if you’re unemployed since you can list unemployment benefits, among other income sources, in your application. While there are certainly upsides to securing a credit card, you should carefully consider the downsides as well before applying for a credit card without a job.

Tips for Using a Credit Card Without a Job

While the answer to whether you have to have a job to get a credit card is technically no, there are some caveats attached to swiping your card without a steady income. Still, just because you don’t have a job doesn’t mean you can’t build your credit in your meantime. Here are some tips to keep in mind to use your credit card wisely:

•   Shop around for a card with a competitive rate: Especially if your financial situation has some uncertainty, you may end up carrying a balance at some points. To avoid paying any more than you need to in interest, make sure to take your time to shop around for the card that offers you the lowest rate.

•   Don’t spend more than you can afford to pay back: Before you use your credit card for any purchases, make sure that you’ll have the money to pay your bill off at the end of the month. If you won’t, you may need to reevaluate your overall spending habits to make sure you don’t fall into debt.

•   Pay each month in full to save on interest: One of the best things that you can do for your overall financial health is to reliably pay your bills in full, each and every month. If you do this, you won’t end up paying interest on your purchases.

•   Set alerts so you don’t miss your monthly payments: If you’re already tight on funds because you’re without a job, the last thing you want to deal with is late fees. Plus, aside from this cost, your credit score will also suffer. To make sure you remember to make payments on-time, consider setting an alert to remind yourself, or even autopay.

The Takeaway

It is possible to get a credit card with no job, but it may not be easy. And many premium or luxury credit cards may not be available to you. Make sure to account for all sources of income on your credit card application. Remember that in addition to income from employment, you can consider other forms of income like self-employment, retirement, or household income. Alternatively, you can consider options like a secured card, a student card or becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account.

If you do have good credit and a reliable source of income, you might consider the SoFi credit card.

FAQ

Can you get a credit card if you have no income?

Yes, it is possible to get a credit card if you have no income, but it may not be easy. Credit card issuers are required to consider your ability to pay your bills before approving you for a card. Keep in mind that you can use more than just money from employment as income. You can also use retirement, self-employment, or shared household income.

Do credit card companies know if you are unemployed?

Credit card companies do not directly know if you are unemployed, but your employment status is usually asked as a question on most credit card applications. However, if you already have a credit card account and then later become unemployed, that information is not generally shared directly with your credit card company.

Can you get a credit card when you’re on unemployment benefits?

Yes, it is possible to get a credit card if you’re on unemployment benefits. Credit card companies are legally required to consider your ability to pay all of your bills when deciding whether to approve you for a card. But this consideration can include income from many sources, not just income from employment.

What is the minimum income required to get a credit card?

There is not a set minimum income credit card requirement. Instead, different credit card issuers will consider your overall financial situation (including income) when deciding whether to approve you for one of their cards. While it is possible to get a credit card with no or low income, you may not be able to get approved for all credit cards.

Does unemployment affect credit?

If you lose your job and start receiving unemployment benefits, it won’t directly affect any credit cards that you already have. However, if your job loss starts to impact your ability to make your payments on-time, your credit card issuer may charge fees and/or raise your interest rate.

Photo credit: iStock/damircudic

¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .


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Spending money on purchases is a part of daily life (groceries, for instance) and can be a pleasure (those cool new boots you’ve been eying for weeks). But for some people, shopping gets out of hand and becomes impulsive or compulsive shopping. They literally “can’t resist” buying and find themselves purchasing often and when they don’t really need anything.

Both compulsive and impulsive shopping can negatively impact your finances and personal life, though they are not the same thing. If you feel as if you can’t control your spending and your money management is suffering from it (such as debt is piling up), know that you can take steps to regain control.

Here, you’ll learn:

•   What compulsive shopping is

•   Causes of compulsive shopping

•   What impulsive shopping is

•   Causes of impulsive shopping

•   How to take control of compulsive or impulsive shopping

What Is Compulsive Shopping?

Compulsive shopping is defined as an uncontrollable desire to shop, resulting in a person investing large amounts of time and money in the activity. People who shop compulsively tend to make purchases regardless of whether they need or want an item — or can actually afford it.

Compulsive shopping, or compulsive buying behavior (CBB), is considered a mental health condition that can have negative consequences financially and personally. It can become a preoccupation and involve the loss of self-control. Compulsive shoppers may use excessive spending as a coping method to mask feelings of low self-esteem, stress, and anxiety. They may feel a high when buying something but often experience disappointment and guilt afterwards.

Characteristics of compulsive shopping include:

•   Obsessive research over coveted items

•   Making unnecessary purchases

•   Potentially dire financial issues as a result, such as bankruptcy, credit card debt, and foreclosure

Causes of Compulsive Shopping

Approximately 6% of adults experience compulsive shopping, which can express a variety of emotional needs and wants, such as:

•   Perfectionism. The shopper may be focused on finding the perfect item, which brings them feelings of satisfaction once discovered.

•   Desire to be in control. Purchasing items can make them feel as if they have achieved something when other aspects of their life are not well managed.

•   Childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse. If a person has endured this kind of pain, buying items may feel like a reward that offsets this negativity.

•   Feelings of loneliness and depression. Buying items can be an exciting mood-lifter; a kind of high.

•   Mood, anxiety, or personality disorders. Compulsive shopping can be a self-soothing behavior.

What Is Impulsive Shopping?

Impulsive shopping is somewhat different from compulsive shopping, though some mental-health professionals consider them to be aspects of the same issue. Impulsive shopping tends to happen when a person gets caught up in the moment and spontaneously buys something. It’s a purchase without any forethought, planning, and it’s often not within a person’s budget.

People who impulse-shop are usually influenced by external triggers, such as seeing an item on sale or positively responding to a store’s atmosphere. Everyone indulges in some impulse-fueled retail therapy now and then. However, when these immediate gratification purchases become habitual, the behavior can morph into something uncontrollable and financially damaging. When it has this kind of negative impact, it nudges into the realm of a disorder.

Causes of Impulsive Shopping

Impulsive shopping can have a variety of causes, including:

•   Wanting to ease negative feelings or improve one’s mood with a “pick-me-up”

•   A need for fun or entertainment

•   Lower levels of self-control

•   Fear of missing out (FOMO) on items or experiences other people have

•   Materialism; placing value on owning possessions

Compulsive vs Impulsive Shopping: What’s the Difference?

While these two behaviors’ names may sound similar, they are actually distinct. Here are the key differences when one compares impulsive vs. compulsive shopping:

Tips for Combating Compulsive or Impulsive Shopping

Impulsive and compulsive shopping can tip into the danger zone and ruin your budget and financial fitness. They can also take up too much mental space. If you have entered that realm and perhaps are carrying a hefty amount of debt, taking control of the situation can feel overwhelming. But there is help. Consider these suggestions on how to get started if you think you’re a shopaholic:

Seeking Some Professional Help

Individual counseling with a mental health professional can help you get to the emotional root of your buying issues. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can effectively treat these shopping behaviors. Medication may also help manage unwanted or intrusive thoughts about shopping. Group therapy can also be beneficial.

Paying Close Attention to Spending Habits

Figuring out your particular shopping triggers can help you avoid or eliminate them. For instance, when buying, do you use credit cards instead of paying with cash or a debit card? Make shopping a priority over paying bills? Grocery shop without making a list? Being honest about how and why you may engage in certain overspending behaviors is vital to understanding the issue. Changing spending habits can then help you manage your finances better.

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Having an Accountability Mentor

Get some support: A financial counselor, advisor, partner, family member, or friend can assist you on your journey to curb compulsive or impulsive spending. Try taking a trusted, non-judgmental confidant with you when you go shopping. Ask them to help rein you in if you start overbuying. You can also consider having them hold onto your credit cards to eliminate access, chat regularly with you to keep tabs on your progress, and be a sympathetic listener when you need to talk through your feelings.

National 12-step program support groups such as Debtors Anonymous (especially if you’ve racked up credit card debt) and Spenders Anonymous are also an option. They can connect you with others who are dealing with similar issues.

Setting a Budget

Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to gain control over your spending. A well-thought out budget will help with personal accountability and achieving financial discipline. Since life needs to be about balance and we all need to spend money on something fun here and there, try to set yourself up with the flexibility to splurge sometimes. This will help keep you from feeling completely deprived.

One suggestion is to consider incorporating the 50/30/20 budget rule. This guideline recommends spending up to 50% of your after-tax income on must-haves (say, housing, car payments, utilities, healthcare, and groceries). Then, take 30% of your money and reserve it for wants such as dinners out, vacations, concert tickets, electronics, and clothing. The remaining 20% should be allocated for investments, an emergency fund, debt repayment, or savings.

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Minimizing Temptation

Many stores are carefully designed to get you to shop and spend, perhaps to an extreme. If a store’s atmosphere — the design, the scents, the music — tends to get you buying, avoid it. Don’t walk down the streets filled with your favorite shops; try to escape the triggers that make you shop too much. If you often spend free time at the mall or online shopping, sign yourself up for a class, take up a new sport, volunteer, or find other ways to fill the hours.

Online promotional discounts, coupon codes, and the ease of electronic transactions can make compulsive or impulsive shopping easier and more appealing. Go ahead and unsubscribe from retailer emails.

Curbing social media exposure can help, too. Research suggests ads and posts from social media influencers and seeing purchases from people in your social networks may encourage a “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality, often leading to impulsive and compulsive buying.

Starting a No-Spend or 30-Day Savings Rule

A quick way to stop spending money is to freeze any non-essential spending for an entire month. Commit to a 30-day shopping ban on things such as clothing, make-up, tech gadgets, or take-out, and see how much extra money you have at the end of the month. The difference may be eye-opening and help you break the cycle.

Successfully controlling your spending can provide a feeling of accomplishment and a confidence boost. Participating in a no-spend challenge can even become a fun game; you can involve other budget-conscious friends and know you’re all in it together.

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The Takeaway

Although there are differences between compulsive and impulsive shopping, both can seriously affect your financial and personal life. Facing your impulsive or compulsive shopping habits can be daunting, but taking positive, concrete steps is likely to help conquer the problem. Getting past this spending issue, whether by shifting your behaviors or seeking professional help, can be a positive step, both for you personally and for your finances.

Want to get a better handle on your spending? Get started today by signing up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account. You can easily track your weekly spending on our dashboard. What’s more, when you open a SoFi online bank account with direct deposit, you’ll earn a competitive APY and pay no fees, so your money could grow that much faster.

FAQ

Is breaking a budget a sign of compulsive shopping?

Breaking your budget is not necessarily a sign of compulsive shopping. However, if you regularly deviate from your budget, spend money allocated for needs on wants, and find yourself saddled with credit card debt, you may need to rein in your compulsive spending. Analyze your shopping habits and budget to understand your behavior better.

Is making an impulse purchase a bad thing?

The reality is, most of us make occasional impulse buys, and they are not always such a bad thing. However, if this kind of shopping becomes habitual and leaves you with debt, pay attention and take steps to improve the situation.

How do I limit impulse purchases?

One way to limit impulse purchases is to avoid stores or websites where you know you tend to overspend. Also, ask yourself, “Do I need this or do I just want it?” when tempted to make a purchase. If the answer is the latter, wait 24 hours, and see if you still really want it. Your desire may dwindle during that cooling-off period.

Photo credit: iStock/jacoblund

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