Social pressure & FOMO

Lesson 6 of 12 in our free Money Mindset guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.

This lesson is in the full version.

Free with a code from your uni, college, council, landlord or employer (worth £600/year). Lesson 1 of Money Mindset is free for everyone.

Questions you'll answer

Mo can't afford the £400 trip. What's the best move?

Red flag: “Only 3 left in your size!!” — Fake scarcity — 'only 3 left' is a classic pressure line and often isn't true.
Red flag: “12,000 people bought this today” — Social proof bait. Other people buying it says nothing about whether YOU need it.
Red flag: “Pay in 4 so it's basically free” — Splitting the cost doesn't make it free — it's still the full price, just spread out (and missed payments can cost).
Red flag: “Offer ends at midnight” — Countdown timers rush you so you don't think. Sleep on it.
Friend suggests a cheaper option when you mention money's tight → Green flag. Green flag. Keep them forever.
Splitting the bill evenly when you only had a side salad → Red flag. Red flag. Ask to pay for what you had — it's normal.
"Just put it on a credit card, you'll pay it back eventually" → Red flag. Red flag. 'Eventually' is how interest piles up.
Group chat agrees a budget before booking a trip → Green flag. Green flag — and very adult of you all.