I didn't need to blow $200 on a one-day ticket to the Austin City Limits music festival this year. But I got intense FOMO, and that fear of missing out made me do it. 

Before you say, "That's so Gen Z of you," let me say that live music is my spending trigger. Concerts are the single variable expense I have trouble cutting each month. 

Most of the time, I find cheap ways to hear live music, like attending South by Southwest for free. Although I wouldn't call myself frugal, I'm trained in personal finance. I'm generally not inclined to go on impulsive shopping sprees, and I'm pretty skilled at bargain-hunting. 

Except Austin City Limits is one costly event I haven't been able to stay away from (I've been seven times). It's a classic case of FOMO spending when anxiety over missing a fun and exciting opportunity pushes me to spend money. 

Buying one concert ticket isn't going to break the bank, but it will if it becomes a habit. Compulsive spending, whether triggered by FOMO or something else, is a drain on long-term financial stability, according to Steven Kibbel, a certified financial planner. "It can leave people more vulnerable to economic setbacks," Kibbel said. 

We all have triggers that make us overspend. Here are some tips to help. 

What are spending triggers? 

For some folks, boredom can trigger overspending. You might be doomscrolling and fall for an ad that ended up in your inbox. Or you may tend to reward yourself by shopping for expensive self-care products after a rough day. Others might overspend because they don't want to be left out of a friend circle or when they're succumbing to social pressure. 

Whatever your spending triggers are, it's important to be aware of them so they don't derail your monthly budget or land you in debt. 

If you don't understand your spending triggers, look at your expenses and identify repetitive spending patterns so you can regain control of your finances. Curbing bad spending habits might take some work, but it's not impossible. 

"Small behavioral and awareness adjustments can have a significant impact on financial security and foster a better relationship with money in the future," said Kibbel. 

Strategies to curb excessive or impulsive spending 

Identifying your triggers is just the first step.