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Start thinking: How long does it take you to decide whether to buy something or not? Why does it take that time?

Session 5: Who is Really Deciding How You Spend Money?

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ITZA Flash Sale

You are going to take part in a flash sale. You will have a specific amount of time to decide if you want to buy or pass on each item.

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After time is up, you must show your decision.

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ITZA Flash Sale

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ITZA Flash Sale

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ITZA Flash Sale

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ITZA Flash Sale

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The money that we have belongs to us. The decisions about how we save it, spend it and invest it are ours to make - right?

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Today’s Big Question:

Are you choosing what you spend or are you being influenced?

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PATHWAY 1

Money Traps: Too Good To Be True

    • BNPL mechanics
    • Impulse spending triggers
    • Hidden costs embedded in online shopping

10 mins

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PATHWAY 2

Influencer Economy: Who’s

Really Deciding?

    • Sponsored content, affiliate links
    • Discount codes
    • FOMO and parasocial trust

10 mins

Finished? Have a go at the Money Smart Minigame.

Are you choosing what you spend or are you being influenced?

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The Temptation Pitch

In your group, choose one product and three pressure tactics.

Create a 30-second advert, for the product, using all three tactics.

Suggested roles: influencer, ‘customer’, narrator

Start with a hook that grabs attention, then use your pressure tactics.

Product

Water Bottle

Backpack

Energy Bar

Hoodie

Trainers

Headphones

Skincare Item

Football Top

Pressure Tactic

FOMO ("Everyone has one!")

Countdown Timer ("4 mins left!")

Buy Now, Pay Later ("£X today!")

Peer Pressure ("Fit in with friends")

Influencer Rec ("I love this product")

Free Delivery ("Spend £8 more!")

Limited Stock ("Only 2 left!")

Popularity ("5,000 sold this week!")

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WE HAVE COVERED:

    • Key money traps designed to encourage overspending.
    • How BNPL, impulse spending and hidden costs affect financial decisions.
    • How influencers and marketing psychology shape consumer behaviour.
    • FOMO and how it is used as a marketing tool.
    • Genuine decisions vs. influenced ones.
    • How critical thinking applies to real spending scenarios.

Learner Journal

Part 1: Three Things I Learnt Today

Open your Learner Journal. Write down three things you learnt. These can be facts, ideas, or things that surprised you.

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Now that you can see the systems designed to influence your spending, what is one decision you will make differently the next time you are about to buy something?

Write your response in your Learner Journal, then finish sections 3-5.

Learner Journal

Part 2: Reflective Question

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“We usually think of ourselves as sitting in the driver’s seat, with ultimate control over the decisions we make; but, alas, this perception has more to do with our desires… than with reality.” Dan Ariely, behavioral economist (2008)

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Smart spending is about learning to spot the engineered system behind the purchase. When you recognise how marketing psychology and algorithms nudge your behavior, you take back control of your financial decisions.

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Lock-In Quote

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Extension Activities

Extension 1

Extension 2

The Original Must-Have

The Swarm That Sets The Price