Why everyday spending decisions trap millions in endless cycles of debt
Despite having steady jobs and seemingly normal spending habits, millions find themselves constantly struggling to get ahead financially. The answer to their money woes might lie in habits so common they feel harmless.
“People usually blame big purchases for their money problems, but the small, everyday decisions are often what’s actually keeping them stuck,” explains Fred Harrington, financial expert at Vetted Prop Firms, a trusted platform that helps traders navigate financial markets.
These five seemingly innocent spending patterns have become so widespread that they’re now considered normal, yet they quietly drain bank accounts and keep people trapped in debt that can take years to escape.
Below, Harrington reveals the five most dangerous “normal” spending habits, explaining why they’re so financially destructive.
- Subscription Stacking
Most people have no idea how much they’re spending on subscriptions each month. Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, gym memberships, meal kits, cloud storage – it all adds up faster than you think.
“I’ve seen people spending over £200 a month on subscriptions they barely use,” says Harrington. “They sign up for free trials, forget to cancel, or keep services ‘just in case’ they need them later.”
The problem is that these recurring payments become invisible, auto-renewing every month and quietly draining your account while you focus on bigger expenses. Before you know it, you’re paying for 15 different services when you only regularly use three.
What To Do Instead: Audit your subscriptions monthly, and cancel anything you haven’t used in the past 30 days. Set calendar reminders before free trials end so you don’t get caught out.
- Lifestyle Creep
Got a raise? Time for a nicer car. Promotion at work? Let’s upgrade the flat. This is what’s known as ‘lifestyle creep.’
Lifestyle creep happens when your spending increases every time your income goes up. It feels like you’re rewarding yourself for success, but you’re actually trapping yourself in a bigger financial cage.
“People think earning more automatically means they can spend more, but they end up neglecting their savings account,” explains Harrington.
Lifestyle creep locks you into higher monthly payments. For example, that expensive car lease commits you to years of higher expenses as you pay it off. If your income drops or unexpected costs arise, you’ll be in an uncomfortable situation.
What To Do Instead: When you get a raise, immediately direct at least 50% of the increase to savings or debt repayment before you have time to spend it.
- Putting Everything On Finance
‘Buy now, pay later’ options have made it easier than ever to finance purchases that you would have saved up for a decade ago. Phones, laptops, furniture, even clothing – everything comes with a payment plan option.
“People justify putting purchases on finance by saying the monthly payment is small, but they’re not considering the total cost or the fact that they’re committing future income to paying off the debt,” warns Harrington. “They end up with five or six different payment plans running simultaneously, and those payments can really stack up.”
Putting multiple items on finance creates a web of monthly obligations that becomes harder and harder to manage. Miss one payment and you could face penalties, higher interest rates, or damage to your credit score. Plus, you’re paying interest on depreciating assets.
What To Do Instead: Save up and buy items outright. If you can’t afford it in cash, you can’t afford the monthly payments either.
- Emotional Spending And Retail Therapy
Using shopping as a quick fix to feel better is has become very common, especially after a stressful day or week. Online shopping has made this worse – now, you can buy something in just a few clicks.
“Retail therapy gives you a temporary mood boost, but it creates long-term financial stress,” says Harrington. “People buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have to impress people they don’t like.”
Emotional spending often happens when you’re already feeling overwhelmed. Adding financial stress to emotional stress creates a vicious cycle that’s hard to break.
What To Do Instead: Before buying anything non-essential, wait 24 hours. If you still want it after a day, and you have the money budgeted for it, then consider the purchase.
- Making Minimum Credit Card Payments
This might be the most expensive “normal” habit on the list. Credit card companies love customers who pay the minimum because it means they’ll be paying interest for years or even decades.
“I’ve calculated that someone with a £3,000 credit card balance who only makes minimum payments will end up paying over £8,000 total,” reveals Harrington. “That’s more than double the original amount.”
Making minimum payments feels responsible because you’re not actually missing any payments, but you’re still choosing the most expensive repayment option possible. The interest compounds monthly, turning small balances into massive long-term debts.
What To Do Instead: Pay off your entire balance every month. If you can’t do that, pay as much as possible above the minimum and stop using the card until it’s paid off in full.
Fred Harrington, financial expert at Vetted Prop Firms, commented:
“These spending habits feel normal because everyone around us is doing the same thing. We live in a culture that normalizes debt and makes instant gratification seem like a right rather than a luxury. Social media doesn’t help – people see others buying things and assume they can afford it too, not realizing it’s often financed.
“The scariest part is how these habits compound over time. One subscription here, one payment plan there, and suddenly you’re trapped in a web of monthly obligations that eat up your entire paycheck.
“Breaking free requires a complete mindset shift. Instead of asking ‘can I afford the monthly payment?’ ask ‘can I afford to buy this outright?’ The sooner you recognize these patterns, the sooner you can start building real wealth instead of just managing debt.”