The Psychology of Money: Why Saving is Hard

Why do we buy things we don't need?

The Dopamine Hit

Buying something new releases dopamine. It's a fleeting sense of reward. Retailers know this. They design "frictionless" checkout experiences to minimize the time you have to think about the purchase.

Decision Fatigue

By the end of the day, your willpower is depleted. This is why late-night Amazon scrolling is so dangerous. You literally have less mental energy to say "no" to yourself.

Automate Your Good Habits

The best way to save isn't to rely on willpower; it's to remove the choice.

• Set up auto-transfers to savings on payday.
• Delete shopping apps from your phone.
• Use Finordo to visualize your goals daily.

When you specifically see a progress bar towards your "New House" or "Dream Vacation" fund, the short-term dopamine of a new gadget feels less appealing than the long-term satisfaction of reaching your goal.