We’ve all felt FOMO.

It’s that little pang in your chest when your friends post the group trip to Japan you were supposed to go but couldn’t because of financial circumstances (based on a real story, sadly).

It’s when your social media is flooded with job promotions, new cars, and new homes, while you sit in your parents’ living room wondering if you’re falling behind.

If you’re not careful, it can quietly sabotage your savings, your peace of mind, and your future.

In today’s edition, we’ll go over:

• What FOMO is

• Why we get it and need to avoid it

• How to Avoid FOMO

TLDR;

The Bottom Line

• FOMO causes unnecessary spending and anxiety by making you feel behind based on others' highlight reels.

• It leads to poor financial decisions like impulse buys and delayed savings just to keep up.

• You can fight FOMO by knowing your financial goals, muting triggers, shifting your mindset, and celebrating small wins.

The content

What is FOMO?

FOMO is the anxious feeling that others are having more rewarding experiences than you – and that you're missing out or falling behind. It’s been amplified by social media, where we see everyone’s highlight reel and compare it to your behind-the-scenes.

Why do we get FOMO-ed?

• Social comparison – We’re social creatures by nature, thus we’re inclined to see where we stand in a group. In caveman times, this helped us survive. Now? It just makes us scroll in silence while doubting our life choices.
  

• Scarcity mindset – When something seems limited and exclusive (e.g., getting the latest Iphone), we feel pressured to grab it, even if we actually don’t want it.
  

• Seeking validation – When we see others getting applause for their milestones, we crave the same, and feel we need to keep up just to feel enough.

Why we need to avoid FOMO (especially financially)

1. It leads to impulse spending. 

   You buy that concert ticket, that gadget, that vacation even if you can't afford it yet because, anyway, everyone’s doing it.
   

2. It derails your long-term goals. 

   That downpayment you placed on a new car could have been for your emergency fund or investments.
   

3. It creates fake pressure. 

   You’re not behind. Say that again. You’re not behind. You’re on a different path. But, FOMO makes you think you’re late to a race you were never meant to be in. 

   Success looks different to everyone. Start defining yours.  

Actionable Tips For You

How to avoid FOMO

1. Know your financial “why.”
Write down what you want, not what social media tells you to want. Is it freedom? Stability? Helping your family? When you know your goal, it’s easier to say no to distractions.

2. Don’t be bitter.
The success of other people does not reduce any success you will have in the future. Just because others are getting their spotlight does not mean you will not get yours. Until then, be happy for others. 

Nevertheless, you can mute accounts that trigger unhealthy comparison. Out of sight, out of mind. 

3. Shift your mindset.
Instead of “I can’t afford that,” try “That’s not a priority right now.” You can still have nice things, just not at the cost of your peace or goals.

4. Celebrate small wins.
Did you pay off a credit card? Cook instead of ordering in? Say no to a trip you couldn’t afford? That’s courage. Applaud yourself. Growth isn’t always IG-worthy.

Stuff Worth Sharing

The Link Lowdown

Not totally Finance-related but hear me out. Watch this if you need a serotonin boost: What actually matters in your 20s.