The Economics of Online Shopping Carts: Why You Always Spend More Than You Planned

Have you ever opened a shopping app just to buy one thing… and ended up with three? You’re not alone! and it’s not an accident. Online stores are designed to make you spend more than you planned.

Economists call this behavioral economics, the study of how: emotions, habits, and preferences shape the way we spend money. Your online shopping cart isn’t just a basket. It’s a psychological trap.

1. Anchoring

Ever noticed how a product is “originally $50, now on sale for $29.99”? That’s called anchoring. Your brain compares it to the higher price, not its real value. Suddenly, $29.99 feels like a bargain, even if you didn’t need it in the first place.

2. Nudges

“Only 3 left in stock!” or “Free shipping on orders over $50!”

These little messages are nudges — subtle ways of pushing you toward buying more. They create urgency, fear of missing out, or the feeling that you’re getting a better deal if you add just one more thing.

3. Choice Architecture

That “Recommended for You” section? Not random. Algorithms know your patterns and tempt you with exactly what you’re most likely to click. It’s carefully designed choice architecture: shaping your decisions without you even realizing it.

Final Words from Me 💭

I’ve fallen into this trap so many times. Sometimes I’ll add random things just to hit the free shipping minimum and then end up spending more than the shipping would’ve cost. Now, I try leaving items in my cart for at least a day or two before buying. Half the time, I realize I don’t even want them anymore. At least I’m more aware of what’s happening.

– Cristabelle Chang Founder, Econaeva