Shopping Addiction?
Posted on March 14, 2005 14 Comments
My name is Nicole and I’m a shopaholic.
After realizing that someone stole my Sunday Tribune from the lobby yesterday, I ventured out and picked up a copy for myself. I’m glad I did, because I would have missed this article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/your money/sns-yourmoney-0313spending,0,4002757.story
The author creates a checklist for analyzing whether your spending is out of control and lists a few good tips for curbing spending at the end.
To those tips, I would add:
- Even before you go to the store, determine why you’re going. If you’re buying a new suit, only buy the suit. Don’t buy extra jewelry, hair accessories and a purse because you think it will look cute with the new suit. You probably have matching accessories at home.
- Decide which stores you’re going to before you get to the mall. If I wander into Gap and find a sale, I’m always going to walk out with something I don’t need. It’s best for me to avoid that store in general.
- Go shopping when you don’t have a lot of time; you’ll be less inclined to spend the whole day at the mall if you really can’t.
- Ask yourself, is this something I really need right now? Or just something I want?
- Don’t go shopping to bond with your friends. See a movie, go to a concert, exercise together…whatever. Do something where you pay first, then enjoy (instead of spending limitlessly throughout the day). When bonding while shopping, you risk equating the great feeling of friendship to the feeling of shopping.
- Pay with cash. This is a serious deterrent for girls who are serious about curbing spending. When you have to plunk down every precious penny, you’re forced to look at the money leaving your hands. Ouch! (Truthfully, I still can’t do this without weeping.)
Shopaholic? Maybe. But at least I’m recovering.
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May 29th, 2005 @ 3:38 am
- When bonding while shopping, you risk equating the great feeling of friendship to the feeling of shopping.
I sooooo can’t agree more. My Hubby is a shopper(got it from his mom). As much as I try I CAN NOT get him to understand that “shopping time” is NOT equal with “together time”. After 14 years I have finally identified this as one of the core problems with our relationship.
Thank you for your hard work and for putting into writing what I’ve been trying to say out loud for a long time with NO success. This is my first visit here. And I love it!
January 3rd, 2006 @ 6:23 pm
You are awesome! I am a shopaholic who just recently decided it’s time to stop. Not slow it down but stop. I’ve always made it loud and clear that I am a shopaholic and I am not afraid to admit it and I don’t need to change. But looking at my savings account in which I was saving for a trip to Hawaii, looks like there won’t be a trip!!! There are no funds, not even emergency funds! My closet is full of clothes and shoes for the trip that I most likely won’t be taking UNLESS I can stop the out of control shopping. I have done a good job so far, the trip is next month of course fair and hotel is much higher than if I would have bought the tix in October when I should have but due to shopping uncontrollably I wasn’t able to. I will be checking in on your site (this is my first time) for some strength and inspiration. Good to know I’m not the only one out there trying to do something that a lot of people don’t think should be so hard. Thanks.
January 4th, 2006 @ 12:52 am
I read a while back that people who considered themselves to be shopaholics were given anti-depressant medication and then they didn’t want to shop anymore.
September 24th, 2006 @ 8:28 pm
actually, i think this last comment was accurate. i have depression, and when i’m in my nastiest of nasty times, i go to a spa or i go to the mall and get myself something new. the feeling like i appear as perfection and the fact that i have a new look fool me into thinking that i’m making a fresh start in life.
shopping is just that deception though–making yourself over on the outside is by no means going to make you over on the inside. anti depressants just get you out of that instant, quick-fix mode. brings you back into reality. that way, you won’t be going to the mall next weekend, equally upset, wanting another fresh start.
everybody gets one. besides, you have to work yourself out of the hole of unhappiness before you can start fresh.
October 3rd, 2006 @ 3:05 am
Some people are paying other people to sort through their junk. Others spend a lot of time moving stuff around, especially when trying to find things. The time wasted could be used to do something enjoyable or at least something that would reduce spending, like baking, or actually used to earn money. Years ago, I tried to get info on Clutterers Anonymous. I found one page on the computer. I sent for more info but, even though my check was cashed, I received nothing. If anyone can find something about Clutterers Anonymous, please post it here. Thanks!
October 23rd, 2006 @ 8:59 am
I have suffered from an addiction to shopping since about the age of 15, but today is the first time I’m admitting that its a problem. What makes it so easy to fall into is the fact that it is socially acceptable to shop so much. If I drank the way that I shopped someone would see the destruction and stop me, but so far no one has. Currently I’m about $10,000 in debt, I’ve quit my job and I have no savings to speak of, but I can honestly say that if I had another credit card I’d be out buying anything I could get my hands on. I’m going to try to seek some sort of professional help and I already have a financial advisor, but forcing myself to sit down and account for everything makes me want to cry. All I can do now is hope and pray that this will be manageable by the time I graduate.
December 7th, 2006 @ 2:21 am
Shopaholic’s should definitely stay away from credit cards! But if you need to apply online, we have a complete list of credit card applications & offers…
February 26th, 2008 @ 8:11 am
Hi .nice blog.I need to find jobs .can anybody send links of that job websites….
Thank you…..
May 23rd, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Excellent post. I also have the shopping addiction, yet I only shop at budget places like thrift stores, Target, Wet Seal and any of the places along Rue Saint Denis (Paris). It is affordable and CHIC to shop as inexpensively as possible these days. Still looking hot of course! I love your blog and find we think so much alike. Thanks and keep up the great work!
June 18th, 2008 @ 9:51 am
It is a fact that almost all women worldwide enjoy shopping very much. Most of us easily go on a spending spree not thinking about its negative results.
September 15th, 2008 @ 9:21 am
“Years ago, I tried to get info on Clutterers Anonymous. I found one page on the computer. I sent for more info but, even though my check was cashed, I received nothing. If anyone can find something about Clutterers Anonymous, please post it here.”
Sounds like someone was scammed. Anyway, excellent article!
March 12th, 2009 @ 4:58 am
I have been struggling with a shopping addiction for 5 years. I go to Debtor’s Annonymous – which helps. I still splurge. I’m frugal in my everyday life. I eat healthy and exercise. I keep numbers, checkbook accountability and I pay bills on time and pay more than the minimum balance. My debt is overall decreasing. But I still spend on one card – a store card that I love. I go in and buy huge purchases sometimes once or twice a month- sometimes less than that. I usually love what I get for awhile but I really don’t need it. I have LOTS of designer handbags – I resell a lot of them later on – usually 4-5 years after buying them when I stop wearing them typically. I hate cheap crap so I have no problem avoiding cheap stores. I don’t want anything – but when I do shop, I spend thousands – and thus more than I can afford – but I don’t want to buy crap so thus the cycle continues – I suppose it’s quality in moderation – not quantity.
July 11th, 2009 @ 12:59 am
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December 10th, 2009 @ 5:19 am
I saved my money by buying unexpensive good such as Engagement rings.silver necklaces and Platinum wedding rings there a 3dollar blouse on a rack that is good or if i c specials i buy them even in food i go to op shops if i didnt have much money and i saves my money if i wanting to buy stuff.i dont use credit card i use cash all the time.