The Dark Side of Coupons: Are Discounts Making You Spend More?
Are those discounts really, Discounts? Well, the psychology behind coupons is a little deeper and we’ll be discussing the whether or not these discounts are making you spend more.
Let’s just admit it—we’ve all felt that tiny thrill of entering a coupon code and watching the total price drop like a mic. It feels like winning. Like you outsmarted the system. Like Jeff Bezos personally handed you a gift card. But what if that little 20% off tag is just... bait? A shiny little trap designed to make you spend way more than you meant to in the first place? Yeah. Let's talk about that part.The sweet lie of the “Deal”
There’s something diabolically clever about the word “SALE” in big red letters. You weren’t even shopping. You just came to check the weather. Now you’re adding throw pillows and a pasta maker to your cart. Why? Because your brain saw “40% off” and said “We’re saving money!” Spoiler: you’re not. You’re spending it. But brands know this, and they love how our brains react to markdowns like it’s a Black Friday emergency.
The thing is, discounts trigger a reward center in your brain. That’s science. It lights up like a slot machine when you think you’re getting more for less. But here’s the kicker—half the time, the price was never “less” to begin with. That $80 hoodie marked down from $160? It probably hovered around $80 all season long. They just slapped an imaginary original price on it to make the discount look juicier. That’s not a sale. That’s a performance.
Anchors away(So is your budget)
Ever see something priced at $299.99 and think, “That’s not bad compared to $599.99”? Welcome to price anchoring, one of marketing’s favorite magic tricks. They throw a fake original price at you so the real price looks like a steal. Suddenly, buying that blender feels like a responsible decision. But the truth is, you were never supposed to pay $599.99. That number was there to manipulate you into loving $299.99.
Now add urgency. “Only Today!” “Last Chance!” “Cart expires in 10 minutes!” Your rational brain exits the chat. Panic sets in. You buy something you weren’t even thinking about five minutes ago because you’re afraid of missing out.
The sneaky pitfalls
Let’s talk about the “Buy One, Get One” situation. You came for one pair of socks. Now you’re leaving with two, and you didn’t even like the second one. But hey—it was half off! These kinds of promos trick you into buying more stuff just so the discount “feels worth it.” You walk away thinking you saved, but you just spent 50% more than planned.
And don’t even get me started on free shipping thresholds. You were $7 away from free shipping, so you threw in a random mug you didn’t need. The mug was $15. The shipping was $5. Do that math. We’ve all done it. And every time, the brand wins.
Sales that aren’t really sales
Seasonal discounts? End-of-season blowouts? Black Friday chaos? Yeah... some of those products are created just for the sale. Slightly cheaper quality, inflated pre-sale prices, all wrapped up in flashing banners. It’s not just a discount. It’s a well-rehearsed illusion. You think you’re getting a once-a-year steal when it’s actually business as usual behind the scenes.
So, are discounts the enemy?
Not exactly. Some deals are good. But most are just... seductive. They know how to push your buttons. And once you're hooked, you're spending more often, more impulsively, and more emotionally. That’s not saving. That’s spending in disguise. Smart shopping means asking: “Would I buy this if it weren’t on sale?” If the answer’s no, maybe step away from the cart. That $20 off isn’t worth it if it’s just dressing up a $40 regret.