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With the COVID-19 pandemic still happening, many people have little more to do than stay home and wait for safer times to come.

Prolonged stay indoors can bring in feelings of frustration coming from the inability to travel and shop like before.

The phenomenon of "revenge shopping" or "revenge spending" has emerged, stemming from one's lack of freedom in other areas in life. A consumer turns to retail therapy and purchasing things online to make up for all that's missing in one's day-to-day life.

Online shopping is a convenient way to get hold of products without leaving your home and without any contact with anyone. But it's also easy to lose track of your expenses when adding an item to your cart feels truly rewarding.

Online shopping / Source: pexels.com

GMA News and Public Affairs' online show Pera Paraan recommends understanding your reasons for online shopping.

According to Psychologist-Psychiatrist Dr. Randy Dellos, being in quarantine has a lot of psychological effects-, "Sa pandemya na ito, unang unang cause is 'yung boredom kasi wala masyadong ginagawa sa bahay. Isa pa, nakakastress ang buhay ngayon kaya ito ang nagiging escape natin, ito 'yung tinatawag nating online retail therapy."

Aside from spending too much, buying fake or failed products is also an issue so it's best to make sure you're buying from a certified store. Pera Paraan host Susan Enriquez advised shoppers, "Dapat nagiging matalino rin tayo sa pamimili natin."

The Department of Trade and Industry has a warning for sellers when it comes to their products.

DTI Undersecretary Atty. Ruth Castelo says, "Kung ina-advertise nilang genuine or authentic 'yung fake, malaking kaso 'yun. Mini-mislead nila 'yung seller, under 'yan sa Deceptive Sales Act."

Online selling / Source: pexels.com

One tip to handle online shopping wisely is to protect oneself and carefully examine a product's information before buying it. Think before you add to cart.

Identifying your internal reasons for going on an online shopping spree is also important, if you feel stressed out or restless because of the pandemic, find a healthy hobby that doesn't require spending money and will require your concentration.

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