We tend to make poor choices when alcohol is involved. Call it human instinct or liquid courage — our intoxicated selves often throw caution to the wind.
Quick quiz: Which of these have I done after a few drinks?
- Texted an ex
- Attempted cartwheels in public
- Made an impulse buy
- All of the above
Chances are the correct choice is “d.” All of the above.
Besides the occasional skinned knee or bruised pride, recovering from a tipsy impulse buy — or several — is what takes the longest. Late-night browsing sessions on Amazon can have ripple effects, from stretched budgets and overdrafts to mounting credit card interest.
Turns out I’m not the only one shopping while under the influence.
Americans Splurge While Intoxicated
Among U.S. adults who drink regularly, 46% admit to making purchases while drinking, according to a survey of 2,000 Americans by shopping comparison site Finder.com.
“Who, me?”
Yes — you.
In 2016, the typical tipsy shopper shelled out $206, but by 2017 that number had more than doubled to $447.57. That adds up to an eye-popping $30.43 billion in spur-of-the-moment spending fueled by booze.
Sober minds and dwindling bank balances across the country collectively groan, “Somebody help us.”
The truth is, only you can come to your rescue.
Ways to Stop Drunken Purchases
A few preventative steps can keep your accounts healthy when you’re not thinking straight. Let’s be honest: doing several of these is probably a good idea.
1. Remove Saved Card Details
Take away the convenience — delete stored card numbers from your phone and web browsers.
Yes, it’s annoying to input your card when you’re sober, but you’re doing it for your own benefit. It may even curb some of your daytime impulse buys. Keep cards saved for ride apps like Uber or Lyft only if absolutely necessary.
2. Uninstall Shopping Apps
It might feel like a pain, but if an app is a direct route to spending, remove it. Now. You’ll likely forget login info and be unable to add a card or finish a checkout while tipsy. Screenshot any must-haves and reassess them the next morning.
3. Turn Off One-Click Buying
This setting makes spur-of-the-moment purchases far too effortless. Disable it across all shopping sites on your devices. It’s a sly feature that encourages spending even when you’re sober — doubly dangerous when you’re not. This is crucial if you can’t remove stored payment information.
4. Put Your Cards Out of Reach
Stash your cards where you won’t access them after you start drinking. Maybe leave them with a roommate, a parent, or locked away at work before you go out.
If they’re also removed from browsers and apps, you won’t be ordering that novelty Loch Ness soup ladle at 2 a.m.
5. Plan Ahead and Use Cash
Prevent impulse buys by hiding your cards and taking only the cash you intend to spend that night. When it’s gone, that’s it — no more rounds for friends, no ATM trips. Your future self will thank you in the morning.
6. Change Account Passwords
If you expect a big night, protect yourself beforehand by switching login credentials. Write them down and hide them somewhere you can’t reach once you start feeling reckless.
If you somehow land on a shopping site or app while impaired, you won’t be able to access your account or complete a purchase if other safeguards are active. Save items to your cart or wishlist for a laugh the next day — better than discovering packages on your doorstep.
7. Block Access to Retail Sites
The Chrome extension StayFocused lets you limit time spent on distracting sites, including stores. Set a timer for a specific site and the extension shuts it off when time’s up. Sure, you could switch browsers, but your tipsy brain probably won’t go to that effort for a novelty pillow.
For more extreme measures, try Cold Turkey, which can block the web entirely until the countdown ends. Ideally, you’ll be in bed anyway.
8. Skip Drinking Altogether
It’s obvious, but if you’re taking steps to avoid draining your accounts and buying cereal in bulk, maybe just sit this round out. Not drinking will save cash and prevent regrettable purchases.
Don’t Let Regret Win
I have a friend who doesn’t suffer hangovers — a medical oddity. But she still gets buyer’s remorse. Nobody is immune. If you’re like me and wake up with a pounding head, cotton mouth and an empty bank balance, that combination is hard to beat for regret.
Let sober you outmaneuver drunk you. The worst-case scenario is waiting until tomorrow to buy something.
Liz Harper is a staff writer at Savinly. She once bought five wedding gowns online after drinking. The listing promised “free returns.”
