Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and thought:
- “Everyone else seems to have it together.”
- “They’ve just booked a holiday, how can they afford that?”
- “I wish I could buy things like that.”
If so, you’re not alone. This is part of comparison culture, the pressure we feel when we measure our lives against the highlight reels we see online.
Most of us feel behind, like we’re not doing as well as others.
Social media has made it easier than ever to compare, but that comparison culture can hurt your mental health, your confidence, and your bank balance.
This blog will explore why we compare, how it affects our spending, and what we can do to feel better about our financial journey.
Why do we compare ourselves to others?
It’s human nature to compare. We do it to understand where we fit in, and whether we’re doing “okay.” But today, social media shows us a filtered version of people’s lives.
Online, we mostly see:
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The new car… not the car loan
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The designer handbag… not the credit card debt
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The holiday photos… not the overdraft
When we compare ourselves to that, we’re not comparing like for like. We’re comparing real life with someone else’s highlight reel.
How comparison culture affects your spending
Trying to keep up can lead to:
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Impulse buying to feel “equal”
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Spending money you don’t have to avoid feeling left out
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Feeling ashamed of your own situation
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Losing track of what you really value
This is called social comparison spending, spending money based on what you see others doing, not what’s best for you.
It’s especially common when:
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You’re already feeling low or stressed
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You’ve had a sudden life change (job loss, illness, etc.)
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You follow influencers or friends who post lots of lifestyle content
Social media makes it worse
Apps like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook are designed to keep us looking. But what we look at affects how we feel.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that spending less time on social media can lead to lower levels of depression and loneliness, especially when people stop comparing themselves to others online.
What can you do instead?
Here are some gentle ways to stop the cycle:
1. Unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel bad
It’s okay to take a break from people who only show luxury and perfection.
2. Use helpful tools
They might be in debt. They might be stressed. You don’t know their story.
3. Ask: “Do I really want this, or do I just feel behind?”
If you’re about to buy something, pause and check in with yourself. Is this your desire, or pressure from others?
4. Focus on your own goals
What do you want from your money? Safety? Stability? Less stress? Write it down. These are the only comparisons that matter.
How IE Hub can help
If a comparison culture has led to spending problems or debt, there is a way forward.
At IE Hub, you can:
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Build a simple budget without any pressure
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See if you’re entitled to support or benefits
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Share your financial info safely with companies, with no awkward phone calls
- You deserve tools that work for your life, not someone else’s.
Final Thoughts on Comparison Culture
You are not behind. You are not broken. You are not failing.
You’re just living in a world that constantly tells you to spend more, show more, and compare more, especially online.
At IE Hub, we want to help you block out the noise and build confidence with your money. One small step at a time.
