Compulsive Shopping

 

            You're at the mall again. It's the sixth time this week and it's only Tuesday! You can't stop thinking about the pink leather bag that you seen yesterday. You somehow managed to talk yourself out of buying it the first time but today is a different day. You had a bad day at work again. You think to yourself " I deserve a new purse; my thirty other purses need a new friend!" You wonder if your credit card will work. You have charged at least five hundred dollars since last week and most of your purchases are still in bags on the bedroom floor. You hold your breath, not only in fear of rejection but in hopes the pink bag that you "just can't live without" will soon be yours. The moments tick away until...IT WORKED! You sign your life away yet again and snatch up your new treasure. As you are leaving the store, something catches your eye. Look at those shoes! They would match perfectly with my new bag...Does that scenario sound familiar? If it does, you should know that you are not alone.

           

            Compulsive shopping is a common addiction, especially amongst women. Most women love to shop but sadly, many end up horribly in debt due to their uncontrollable urge to shop. It is an addiction like any other addiction. It has cravings, anticipation, wonderful highs and horrible lows. But the reality is that people addicted to shopping are searching for something to fill a void within their lives and they will never have enough clothes, bags or cars to satisfy their craving.

 

            There are many clear signs that may indicate a problem. At "Debtors Anonymous", twelve signs of compulsive spending are listed. Some of these include: feeling unclear about your financial situation such as account balances, loan interest rates etc, poor saving habits or "living for today" in a financial sense, compulsive shopping such as impulse purchases, not using what you have purchased etc, difficulty in meeting financial obligations, always having a financial crisis to contend with. Please refer to the URL at the end of the page to check out the full list and to also get information about recovery at Debtors Anonymous*.

 

            Do you recognize yourself in any of these symptoms? If so, you may want to ask yourself why? What does shopping do for you? Does it fill a void or an empty feeling within? Does having material possessions make you feel secure or more important? Is your self concept tied up in the material items that you possess? Once you determine the answers, you can then begin the recovery process.

 

* www.debtorsanonymous.org/help/signs.htm

What's your story? Do you have a shopping addiction? Please write and tell me your story.

 

Take care...Tracy