Remember the days of cash only, when you frantically sifted through coins and notes while trying to avoid holding up the line behind you?
Luckily, technology has brought us contactless payments. No more fumbling with cards or counting out exact change – all it takes is a simple tap to pay for our purchases. Who needs cash when going contactless is infinitely more convenient?
Beyond its undeniable practicality, contactless payments also have some interesting effects on our spending habits. The effortless nature of tapping instead of swiping makes it feel less like we're actually parting ways with our hard-earned money.
Studies have shown that people tend to spend more when they use contactless methods than traditional payment methods. Why? Let's explore.
What is Contactless Payment?
Gone are the days when paying for your purchase involved physically swiping a plastic card. It's impressive how far we've come technologically. Now, all you have to do is tap your phone or credit card to finalize the transaction in mere seconds.
So, what exactly is this technology?
Contactless payment is any payment item or device that can complete a payment without contact (hence the name). Instead of being physically inserted into an EFTPOS machine, for instance, a contactless card can simply be held near the machine. Contactless tech uses near-field communication or radio-frequency identification to make this possible.
This groundbreaking tech isn’t at all limited to plastic cards. On the list of contactless devices, we can include:
Smartphones and watches (e.g. Apple Pay)
Credit and debit cards
Digital cards
Fobs
Contactless card readers and terminals
Believe it or not, contactless payments originated in 1995 when the Seoul Bus Transport Association made it possible to ‘tap on’ to their vehicles.
We’ve seen huge leaps and bounds over the past couple of decades and will likely continue to see more advancements in our endless pursuit of convenience.
How Contactless Payments Affect Spending
The ease of contactless payments certainly speeds up checkout lines, but that’s not the only influence they have on the shopping experience. The ability to tap and pay is subtly moulding our spending habits in profound ways.
The act of paying for things used to involve some physical effort, like digging through your wallet or swiping a card. There was always some kind of tangible barrier between yourself and making the purchase. With contactless payments, those hurdles are gone.
Now, all it takes is a simple tap and voila – but instant gratification isn’t always so gratifying when it becomes a habit. Contactless ease can lead us down a slippery slope of impulsive buying.
We've all been there. You’re scrolling through Instagram, being hit with ad after ad, until something grabs your attention – and suddenly, you have an intense desire to buy that trendy pair of shoes or that fancy kitchen gadget. Five minutes ago, you didn’t even know it existed.
The culprit here is the algorithm, more than anything – but instant payment is the enabler. We no longer have the barrier of pulling out our cards, manually typing in the details, and confirming our order. The information is stored right there on our phones or on our laptops, ready to autofill the payment forms. Worse still, all Apple Pay users have to do is double-tap their power button.
Online or in store, the extreme convenience of contactless payments makes it easier than ever to justify those unnecessary splurges in a split second (or fail to consider the decision altogether). Who can say no to that extra treat with your coffee when it's right there in the cabinet in front of you, the only barrier being a tap?
The Power of Tracking (or Not Tracking)
While some contactless payment methods may seem like a convenient and efficient way to pay, they come with their own set of risks.
It’s great to embrace new technology that makes our lives easier – but we should also slow down and consider the consequences. What’s to stop overspending if it's just a quick beep away?
Many people don’t track their expenses. The mentality is often "out of sight, out of mind” – followed by a nasty surprise when checking their bank account after weeks of untracked contactless payments.
No physical receipt? No problem. But this is a deceptive mindset that can cause serious financial stress.
Without tangible evidence of our transactions, it becomes easy to forget about them altogether. This disconnect between what we spend and what we perceive ourselves to be spending can have both good and bad consequences.
On the one hand, it can make budgeting a nightmare, especially for those who would rather not dive into the nitty-gritty details of our finances.
However, it also means less stress about constantly keeping track of every penny. It can be a relief to just tap away without worrying too much.
While embracing technology has its advantages, it is best to stay mindful of spending habits and make use of tools like detailed breakdowns and budgeting apps that most contactless payment methods offer nowadays.
Does Tapping Have to Mean Overspending?
While contactless payments can undoubtedly lead to increased spending in some situations, it's important to remember that they are simply a tool. The real power lies in how we choose to use them. Here are some tips to be mindful of your spending with contactless payments:
Set budgets and track expenses: Regardless of payment method, create a budget and track your spending to stay on top of your finances. Many contactless payment apps offer built-in budgeting tools.
Embrace the power of "no": Don't be afraid to say no to impulse purchases, even with the ease of contactless payments. Take a moment to consider if you truly need the item before tapping your card.
Review your spending habits: Regularly analyze your spending patterns to identify areas where contactless payments might be leading to unnecessary spending.
Contactless payments are a fantastic innovation that offers undeniable convenience. By being mindful of their potential impact on spending habits, we can leverage their benefits while maintaining control over our finances. So, the next time you tap your card, remember – it's a tap, not a blank check.
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