Is staying in the new going out? The growing “couch economy” signals that it may be.
From streaming movies to ordering takeout, more consumers are choosing to spend their leisure time — and money — without leaving the house (or even the couch). But while staying home might seem like an easy way to save money, the couch economy isn’t necessarily budget-friendly. Here’s a closer look at this trend and how participating in the couch economy impacts your bottom line.
What is the couch economy?
Coined by Visa in a recent report, the “couch economy” refers to the consumer spending trend in which people increasingly choose to stay home rather than spend money on activities outside the house, such as dining out, going to bars, attending concerts, or traveling.
Instead, consumers are directing more of their discretionary spending toward at-home entertainment and comfort — including streaming services, food delivery, video games, and other home-based hobbies.
According to Visa’s research, the share of U.S. payment volume occurring online and in-app rose from 48% in 2019 to 58% in 2026, with spending on food delivery, streaming services, and pet-related expenses driving the increase.
The report also found that spending on streaming subscriptions in the U.S. is outpacing spending on in-person entertainment such as movie theater tickets or concerts.
What’s driving the couch economy?
It’s important to note that people aren’t necessarily spending less overall. In the couch economy, they’re simply shifting where their money goes. For example, someone might skip an expensive night out on the town but spend $60 on takeout and $20 on a new-release movie rental instead.
There are a few possible reasons this shift is occurring. For one, inflation and the high cost of living have made things like dining out and traveling more expensive. So, people look to more affordable activities they can do from home.
But another big factor is convenience — food delivery, streaming platforms, online shopping, and digital entertainment have made it easier than ever to have fun without leaving home.
“The rise of the couch economy reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior that extends far beyond e-commerce,” said Wayne Best, chief economist at Visa, in a press release. “As technology continues to reduce friction in everyday activities, consumers are increasingly prioritizing convenience, driving more spending through digital channels, subscription services, and delivery platforms.”
Is the couch economy good or bad for your finances?
The couch economy presents an interesting paradox: You may feel like you’re saving money by staying home, but the convenience of spending money from your living room can actually make it easier to overspend.
At-home services can come with several added costs, such as delivery fees, driver tips, ad-free subscriptions, in-app purchases, and more. Plus, clicking “purchase” from a phone can make it easier to spend without thinking through the purchase.
In fact, according to Capital One, 37% of shoppers are more likely to purchase impulsively when shopping online, compared to 35% of shoppers who say they are more likely to make impulse purchases in-store.
Sure, shopping online can make it easier to compare prices and spot a deal, according to Mary Ware, a CFP, senior wealth advisor, and managing partner at Carnegie Private Wealth in Charlotte, North Carolina. “But having to get in your car, drive to a store, summon the energy to face crowds and shop during business hours creates barriers that can make us more intentional about what we buy,” she said. “When we don’t have those barriers, we can make more impulse purchases.”
Plus, virtual transactions remove the “pain of paying,” or the emotional response that occurs when you physically hand over a card or cash when checking out. That extra step involved with shopping in person signals to your brain that you’re giving something up for a purchase. Meanwhile, digital transactions eliminate that physical exchange, often making purchases seem inconsequential.
3 tips to keep your couch spending under control
For many shoppers, making a purchase comes with a sense of excitement or satisfaction. Online shopping and in-app purchases make it easier than ever to experience that rush of instant gratification with just a few taps. However, those purchases can quickly add up, potentially leading to debt or getting in the way of your financial goals.
Here are three simple strategies to help curb impulse spending and keep your budget on track.
Never save your payment information
Storing your debit or credit card information on your phone or in shopping apps makes checking out quick and convenient. However, that convenience can also make it easier to spend money without thinking twice.
Removing your saved payment information adds an extra step to the checkout process, giving you a moment to consider whether a purchase is really worth it.
Even small purchases can make a significant dent in your budget over time, especially when they become part of your daily routine.
Delete your shopping apps
Deleting shopping apps from your phone can help eliminate the temptation to make unnecessary purchases. However, if you rely on certain apps for everyday essentials, getting rid of them altogether may not be realistic.
In this case, consider setting boundaries around when and how you use these apps. For example, you might limit your browsing time each day or open a shopping app only when you need to purchase a specific item.
You can also make a habit of checking what you already own before shopping to avoid buying unnecessary or duplicate items.
Implement a 24-hour waiting period
One of the simplest ways to avoid impulse purchases is to give yourself time to think before buying.
The next time you’re tempted to make an unplanned purchase, wait at least 24 hours before checking out. Once that time has passed, ask yourself whether you still want or need the item and whether it fits within your budget.
You may find that you’ve forgotten about the purchase altogether or that the initial excitement has worn off. And if you still want the item after the waiting period, you can feel more confident that you’re making a thoughtful decision rather than giving in to an impulse.
The “couch economy” is a consumer spending trend where people choose to stay home for entertainment and leisure rather than going out to restaurants, bars, concerts, or movie theaters. Instead, discretionary spending shifts toward at-home alternatives, such as food delivery, video games, streaming services, and home hobbies.
Not necessarily. While staying in avoids traditional out-of-house expenses like high menu prices or ticket costs, spending at home can quietly add up through hidden costs. Convenience charges such as delivery fees, driver tips, ad-free subscription upgrades, and in-app purchases often make at-home spending just as expensive—if not more—than going out.
Online shopping and mobile apps remove key physical barriers to buying (like driving to a store or waiting in line). Additionally, digital checkout eliminates the “pain of paying”—the psychological hesitation that happens when you physically hand over cash or a payment card. With just a few quick taps, digital transactions feel less impactful, making impulse purchases much easier to trigger.
Two main factors drive this shift:
Cost & Inflation: Higher living costs and inflation make dining out or traveling significantly more expensive, encouraging people to look for cheaper alternatives at home.
Technology & Convenience: Services like instant food delivery, streaming video platforms, and online shopping make at-home entertainment more frictionless and accessible than ever before.
Remove Saved Cards: Don’t store your credit or debit card info in apps or online stores. Forcing yourself to manually type in your details creates friction to reconsider impulse buys.
Delete Unnecessary Apps: Remove non-essential shopping or delivery apps from your phone, or set daily app-usage limits to avoid mindless browsing.
Use a 24-Hour Rule: Wait 24 hours before completing any unplanned purchase. If the excitement wears off after a day, you can skip buying it altogether.
Suresh holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree and is a dedicated personal finance researcher and writer. Combining his advanced academic background in commerce with deep industry research, he covers complex topics like taxation, banking systems, credit analysis, and personal finance strategies. As the founder of Tax Assistant (taxassistant.org), Suresh is committed to translating complicated financial guidelines and economic data into simple, accurate, and actionable educational resources for everyday readers.
