The rapid expansion of financial technology, particularly e-money, has fundamentally altered transaction patterns, potentially triggering consumptive behavior due to the psychological distance from physical cash. This study aims to examine the direct effect of e-money usage on the consumptive behavior of the Sidoarjo community and to determine whether self-control effectively mediates this relationship. Utilizing a quantitative approach, data were gathered via questionnaires from 100 e-money users selected through simple random sampling. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and path analysis. The empirical findings reveal that e-money usage significantly increases both consumptive behavior and self-control. Interestingly, the path analysis demonstrates that self-control fails to mediate the relationship between e-money usage and consumptive behavior. This paradox suggests that while digital transaction tracking may boost cognitive financial awareness, the structural convenience and frictionless nature of e-money overpower individual self-restraint. The study implies an urgent need for comprehensive financial literacy programs and built-in application frictions to mitigate the adverse effects of digital payment convenience.
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