Smidighetens Pris : En kvalitativ studie om upplevelsen av att betala digitalt

Sammanfattning

The digitalisation of payment markets has transformed how consumers pay in everyday life, particularly in Sweden where digital payment methods have largely replaced cash. While payments have become faster and more convenient, they have also become increasingly invisible and automated. Despite extensive research on digital payments and consumption, limited attention has been paid to how consumers experience the payment moment itself. The aim of this study is to explore how Swedish consumers experience the payment moment when using different digital payment methods and how these experiences relate to everyday consumption and perceived financial control. The study adopts a qualitative research design based on semi-structured interviews with twelve respondents. The empirical material was analysed using thematic analysis. The result show that mobile payments and contactless card payments are the dominant methods in everyday life and are perceived as fast and smooth. At the same time, this convenience reduces awareness during the payment moment, making costs feel abstract at the time of purchase. Control over spending is often experienced retrospectively through digital overviwes. The findings also indicate that low-friction payments may contribute to impulsivity, particularly in everyday purchases, while certain digital tools can strengthen perceived financial control over time. By focusing on consumers lived experiences, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the payment moment in an almost cashless society and highlights how the convenience of digital payments can both facilitate everyday life and challenge financial self-regulation.