Frances Cook

Well, at least in New Zealand, some of these tactics aren't allowed overseas, but it's totally legal here in New Zealand, but it's just super manipulative.

It's things like countdown timers to put the pressure on.

It's things, right?

It's, you know, when it's really, really hard to unsubscribe.

We've all been there.

You're trying to cancel a service and you're going through layers and layers and layers of it.

And it's almost like as if you walked into a shop in real life.

And as soon as you walk in the door, they're putting stuff in behind you.

So it's hard to get out.

That's kind of the online equivalent.

It's super manipulative online.

Exactly, that's a classic dark pattern.

And as well, it's really hard because then these ads will track you and they're going all around the internet following you.

So you've really got to one of the problems with these social media purchases is it's too easy.

So you've kind of got to fight back.

One of the ways that you can take control of your budget again is putting the friction back in.

And it can be really simple stuff like unsaving your credit card info from your phone.

Do you know the amount of money I've saved just because I don't want to get off the couch and go ahead?

Here's my credit card.

It's so good.