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CA says impulsive spending is driven by emotional fatigue, not lack of money. Protecting mental energy leads to better financial choices and true wealth.
Why Your Willpower — Not Your Wallet — Decides Your Financial Stability
Even people with steady paychecks and good savings often feel short on money. Chartered Accountant and finance educator CA Nitin Kaushik says this isn’t really a financial issue — it’s an energy issue.
“Money Doesn’t Run Out First — Energy Does”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kaushik wrote, “Most people think they have a money problem. In reality, they have a mental energy problem. Money doesn’t run out first — energy does.”
He believes emotional fatigue is the hidden trigger behind most impulsive spending. After long, tiring days, many people “swipe away stress” by ordering food, booking cabs, or buying things they don’t need. According to him, this isn’t about poor discipline but about depleted willpower.
“It’s not about a ₹200 coffee or ₹350 delivery charge,” Kaushik explained. “It’s about the fatigue behind that swipe — the silent trade between your willpower and your wallet.”
The Emotional Side of Spending
Kaushik points out that impulsive spending has more to do with emotions than with budgeting. He suggests tracking not just what you spend, but how you felt before spending.
“Add one more column next to your expense tracker — ‘What was I feeling before I spent this?’ You’ll see a pattern,” he said.
He estimates that 70–80% of unplanned expenses come from emotional exhaustion rather than genuine need. People subconsciously try to “buy their calm back,” using money as a quick fix for stress or boredom.
The Real Cost of Decision Fatigue
Even those with comfortable incomes can end up feeling broke if they’re constantly operating on low mental energy. When the mind is exhausted, rational decision-making takes a backseat, leading to financial habits that drain wealth over time.
Kaushik stresses that true financial control comes from protecting one’s mental energy, not from micromanaging every rupee.
“You can’t think long-term when your mind is running on survival mode,” he noted.
A Simple Rule: Pause Before You Purchase
To curb impulsive buying, Kaushik recommends introducing silence before spending.
“Take 10–15 minutes before every big purchase — no phone, no talking, just a pause. Half the impulsive buys disappear when your mind cools down. That’s not self-control — that’s clarity returning.”
This small pause, he says, restores the space needed for conscious decisions rather than emotional reactions.
Protect Your Energy, Protect Your Wealth
Kaushik redefines money management as an act of energy management. When people protect their willpower, they naturally make better financial choices.
“Money management is less about numbers and more about energy allocation. When you protect your willpower, you protect your wealth,” he said.
He ends with a reminder that calmness — not luck — fuels growth.
“Luck often shows up when your mind is calm enough to recognize opportunity. Financial progress begins the day you stop counting receipts and start counting peaceful moments.”
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
November 08, 2025, 13:15 IST
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