Most of us have made an impulsive buy or two. You watch a live selling session online and boom! You’re making a purchase with your credit card. You’re super excited as you track your order, imagining how awesome it’s going to be. But when it finally arrives, it’s just—meh. Your excitement drops fast and you feel guilty for spending money on an item you don’t like. What you’re feeling has a name: buyer’s remorse.
It’s that wave of regret you feel after buying something. Sometimes it hits you the moment you click the “Buy” button. Other times, it creeps in slowly as you realize you didn’t really need that new phone, those sneakers, or that bag on sale.
And since shopping is faster and easier than ever, more people buy first and think later. So, buyer’s remorse is more common than ever. But you don’t have to fall into the same trap over and over again. With a few simple changes, you can shop smarter and skip that awful “why did I even buy this?” feeling. Here are six easy tips to help you spend more wisely—and what to do if buyer’s remorse has already caught up to you. Let’s dive in!
1. Set a Fun Money Budget
Splurging isn’t bad. In fact, it’s healthy to enjoy your hard-earned cash! The trick is to plan for it. So, set aside a “fun budget” each month—a small amount you’re free to spend however you like, guilt-free. This way, your bigger financial goals stay safe.
Of course, you’ll want to use the best credit card for online shopping in the Philippines. When you use a card with rewards that fit your lifestyle, everyday spending becomes more rewarding. To illustrate, the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card gives you up to 5% cashback at Landers, 2% on dining spends, and 1% on all other qualified transactions.* To unlock the 5% cashback rate, all you need to do is accumulate PHP 50,000 worth of total spending on your card for the month—that’s not just spending at Landers, but anywhere you pay using your credit card. This means you can use your card for groceries and fun things like buying that cute skirt you’ve been eyeing. It’s like getting a tiny refund every time you treat yourself!
2. Know Why You Want to Buy
Before you start browsing Lazada or Shopee, ask yourself: why am I shopping right now? Are you stressed? Bored? Maybe feeling a little down or tired? After all, you deserve a treat after a long, hard day at work. But buying random stuff won’t always make you feel better. So, next time you feel the urge to shop, take a break. Go for a walk, drink some water, or call a friend. Having a clear idea of why you want to shop can help you make better buying choices and avoid buyer’s remorse.
3. Wait Before You Buy
Using the best credit card for online shopping during a sale is a smart move. But it’s even smarter to pause first. Here’s a trick: wait 24 hours before buying anything over PHP 1,000 or whatever amount you consider to be a bit much. Some people even wait three days for bigger purchases. This pause might help you realize you don’t want an item on sale as much after thinking it over. Plus, you might find a better deal somewhere else. Being patient really does pay off.
4. Make a Wishlist
When you add something to your cart, your brain starts thinking, "I'm buying this!" even if you're not ready. That’s because it’s just one step away from the "Buy Now" button.
So, instead of adding things straight to your cart, make a wishlist. Most online stores and apps let you save items you like by tapping a heart or clicking “Add to Wishlist.” Some sites call it Favorites or My List—but they all work the same way. By doing this, you’re saying, "Hey, I like this, but I’m not sure yet." Later, you can go back and look at your wishlist with a clear mind. You might realize you don’t even want some of the stuff anymore! Or, if you still love it after a few days, you’ll know it’s something you truly want—and you’ll feel good about buying it.
5. Don’t Give In to FOMO
FOMO (fear of missing out) can trick you into buying stuff you don’t need. Maybe you see your friends showing off their new gadgets. Or you see a TikTok ad saying “only 2 left!” Or, and this happens more often, you see a big timer counting down the hours or minutes before the sale ends.
Don’t fall for these marketing tricks. Step away from your cart and run through this quick checklist:
- Do I need it?
- Will I use it a lot?
- Can I afford it without going into debt?
If you can say “yes” to at least two of these, you’re probably making a smart buy.
6. Return Items
Before you shop, check the store’s return rules. Because even if you’re careful, sometimes you’ll buy something that just doesn’t work out. Maybe it doesn’t fit. Maybe it’s not what you expected. That’s okay! You can still return it. Some stores even offer free returns if you use certain credit cards.
Shop without Regrets
Shopping should be fun—and it can be, especially when you’re using the best credit card for online shopping in the Philippines. But the best feeling of all? Loving every single thing you buy because you made smart, thoughtful, and intentional choices.
Maya is here to help. We make it easy to track your spending, manage your budget, and even score rewards. Ultimately, the real power is in your hands. By pausing, thinking, and following a few simple rules, you can shop smarter, save money, and love what you buy even more.
*Transactions that don’t qualify include: cash in, cash advance, quasi cash purchases, casinos and gambling, fuel, supermarket, pharmaceuticals, utilities, telco, and government.
