Consumer overspending and lack of adequate savings have a significant economic impact and thus are high-profile issues for policy makers. The authors examine the overspending phenomenon from the perspective of resource depletion and role stress theories. They explore factors that influence consumer and financial decision-making quality among the teenaged consumer segment, conducting two studies—a survey and a series of depth interviews—with middle school and high school teenagers. The results suggest that lifestyle-based depletion (1) can affect consumption patterns among teens and (2) is prevalent among ethnic teenagers, girls, and teens with weak parental relationships. The authors provide recommendations to help guide further policy research and aid policy decision makers.
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