So many major events are happening now that many are coping by turning to what is called “doom spending.”  That’s defined as the practice of spending money to soothe fears about big issues, which include politics or the economy. Financial experts warn that the spending can have serious consequences to your finances. It’s a sort of retail therapy at your fingertips.  “That little dopamine hit when you click purchase or a box appears at your door. It definitely can make you happy for a moment,” Financial expert Courtney Olive said. Olive, from Credit Karma, says recent major world events are driving doom spending, and people are using their wallets to cope. “Whether that’s the economy, whether that’s you’re trying to find a job, whether that’s the election and the unknown around it,” Olive said. Bank rate data shows more than half of Americans say they feel they’re getting bombarded with bad news online, and this is affecting how they spend their money. “Once we peel back the layer of the money, it really is about the feelings. What’s going on? Are you scared? Are you worried? Are you celebrating?” Author Aja Evans said. But experts warn this add-to-cart approach is a short-lived strategy that can have long-term consequences. “This combination of both high-interest rates and doom spending, as well as high cost of living, is definitely a perfect storm, especially for those younger consumers who are still really building their financial safety net,” Olive said. Instead, they recommend putting the screens down and putting your energy into other activities that make you feel good. “Go outside, feel the breeze, feel the cold air, if that’s where you live, or the hot air,” Evans said. “No matter where you are, this helps you to come back to nature to be like, ‘okay, I need to be a little bit more mindful in what’s going on with me.’”