Why We Chase the Deal: Emotional Spending, Dopamine, and the Stories We Inherit

Why do we chase the deal — even when we don’t need anything?

In this episode, we dive into emotional spending, stress shopping, dopamine-driven deal hunting, and the deeper stories we inherit around money, safety, and self-worth. If you’ve ever felt pulled toward a “can’t-miss deal,” found yourself impulse buying during Black Friday, or used shopping to feel a sense of control, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening underneath the urge.

Susan explores the patterns that make us crave the discount: childhood money conditioning, inherited scarcity beliefs, nervous system triggers, and the emotional “high” of finding the deal. She shares her own family story — from clipped coupons to Black Friday lists — and explains why the thrill of saving often becomes a coping mechanism we don’t even recognize.

You’ll learn:
• Why emotional spending feels so satisfying in the moment
• How stress, overwhelm, and guilt activate impulse buying
• Why deal-chasing releases dopamine and creates a false sense of safety
• How childhood patterns and inherited money beliefs shape our spending habits
• What your nervous system is actually trying to feel when you “add to cart”
• How to interrupt emotional shopping with intention, awareness, and self-trust
• The difference between a want, a need, and a coping impulse
• How to feel safe, grounded, and “enough” without the deal

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I buy things I don’t need?” or “Why can’t I resist a good deal?” — this conversation will give you clarity, compassion, and practical tools to shift the pattern from the inside out.