Regret Inflation: Why One Bad Purchase Always Leads to Another

The Spiral Nobody Warns You About

For more on the traps that keep us spending, see The Sunk Cost Spiral, False Frugality Trap, and I Should Have Known Better.

This isn't just a budgeting mistake—it's a psychological landslide.

Regret Inflation is what happens when one purchase blows your self-control to pieces… and instead of stopping, you go deeper.

The logic? Twisted but familiar:

• "Damage is done, might as well enjoy the ride."
• "I'll fix this later—future me can deal with it."
• "More regret won’t even make a difference at this point."

It’s Not About the Money (Yet)

Here’s the secret: Regret Inflation isn’t fueled by greed. It’s fueled by shame numbing.

You're not chasing products. You’re chasing distraction from the regret you already triggered.

The beast doesn’t care what you buy—it just wants you to keep going. Momentum is its favorite meal.

How to Disarm the Beast Mid-Spree

1. Name it out loud: "This is Regret Inflation."
2. Physically disrupt the pattern: Stand up. Close your device. Go outside, even for 30 seconds.
3. Visualize the receipt pile: Imagine all the receipts from your spree dumped on your bed. Still worth it?

Reminder: The longer you keep spending, the harder it is to stop. Momentum compounds—but so does control, if you cut it off early.