I'm 16 years old and I have a shopping addiction. It's all I can think about; buying! All I want to do is drive to the mall and spend money. I have a job but I'm spending all of the money every month the day I get it at the mall; $200. I also steal money from my parents and lie to them about purchases. As well, I have a credit card with about a 5,000 debt on it. My parents have no idea about this. I have also drained bank accounts. I've finally admitted to myself that I have a problem. I don't need to buy clothes, shoes, ect. But it makes me feel happy buying them! I don't know what to do and I'm scared.
And my family can't afford to pay this. I was sapposed to be be saving money for college but I haven't been.
2006-12-18 08:34:41 · 14 answers · asked by Jennifer J 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
its time to come clean with your parents...and cut that credit card up in pieces.....if you cant control your impulses then i suggest you seek counselling...
2006-12-18 08:38:01 · answer #1 · answered by askaway 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly you understand that you have a problem. This is a good thing. What you do now is either cut up your credit card, or give it to a responsible adult to look after it for you. You can get into lot of financial crap if you don't manage your money correctly. Take your pay go to a bank and open a money market account and put 100 or 200 dollars in there a week or month depending on your pay structure. You can take a small fraction of your cheque and shop with that. Be more responsible with your cash flow. Think about your priorities first.
2006-12-18 08:45:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, thankfully you have admitted that you have a problem with it. Thats a good sign.
I actually had a similar problem for many years and yes, it can get out of hand, ruin relationships, and kill your future credit as well.
Please take this very seriously. Number one, I am a mom now. You owe it to your parents to tell them your situation. Yes, it may be scary and you may get into big time trioble, but please spare them from finding out later. Stealing money from you own parents is the biggest sign that you have a serious addiction.
Cut up your credit cards and close any open accounts you have. Arrange with the creditors to make payments that you can afford. You will be amazed at how willing they are to work with you on this. The last thing they want is to send your account to a collection agency as they only end up making a portion of what you owe them.
Please then find a good Therapist. Shopping addictions stem from self esteem issues and other underlying issues you have going on. You need to find a trained Therapist that can work you through some of those issues to find out why you are doing this.
The quick "high" you get from spending money fades quickly when you realize how much you are not only hurting yourself but those you love too. is it really worth it for a momentary high? I ended up with so many things I wish I never bought. It's been years since I was cured from this, but I still look in my closet and am disgusted by all themoney I spent on stupid things.
Please get help! It won't get better on its own-trust me!
2006-12-18 08:43:32 · answer #3 · answered by Singthing 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A spending addiction is just as real and as serious as a gambling addiction and possibly even substance abuse. It can destroy families if not taken care of. The happiness you get is only temporary, you'll always be looking for something more. I know because someone close to me has the same problem.
The good news is that there are doctors that can help you. You need to be honest with your family. Think about it- would it be worse for them to find out from you or from the credit card company. They might be upset at first, but they are your family and you are most important to them. If they call the credit card company, they can work out an affordable payment plan if they explain the situation. The credit cards just care about getting their money back and would rather work with you than spend money on lawyers trying to get it.
2006-12-18 09:42:36 · answer #4 · answered by jooliejools 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your almost there! the biggest part of a problem is admitting it
If you go to your nearest Barnes and Noble, they have an entire
addiction section in the self help area. You can hang out there
and read all about what to do-for free. Also, if you can, get some
counseling. Its better to address this earlier than later before
it gets totally out of control. If you keep a journal of your everyday
spending, you will see exactly where your money is going. Try
to start a savings account, even if its just $5.00 a week, put
that away and promise you wont touch it. You will feel better
as that money starts to accumulate. Another approach is
to journal about why you overspend. If you can understand
why, you can change your behaivor. You should consult
a counselor to just talk this out as well....my good friend
had a money problem, her situation was much more serious,
she is bipolar,- but overspending is a symptom sometimes
of something much more serious. Watch Suze Orman if you can,
also, there is a 12 step group for overspenders called
debtors anonomous
Good Luck!
2006-12-18 08:44:24 · answer #5 · answered by Laura G 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need some serious counseling. Professional I might add. Like any other addiction shopping is also an addiction that need to be addressed in the same way. Before you end up in a prison you should discuss your problem with some in the family and get started on recovery. God bless.
2006-12-18 08:38:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is great that you are admitting you have a problem. Now that you have made it through the most difficult stage you can take action. Tell your parents you want to see a councelor. You don't need to tell them why right now, but get in to see someone. Once you are able to get professional help you will see that you can do this.
If you can't get a councelor to help you look into your local spenders anonymous. I have put the link in the souce section. You can go to meetings in your area.
Something else I saw that seemed to work was involving yourself in volunteer work with those who are less fortunate. Donate the items you cannot return to someone who really needs it. By doing this you will be allowing yourself to see what else is going on in the world, and give yourself a focus to help others. You will also be setting yourself up for scholarships to pay for college. Universities and scholarship boards like to see volunteer work when considering applicants.
You can get through this! You are halfway there. You have determination as was shown in your intensity with your addiction. Now you need to focus that energy in the right direction.
2006-12-18 08:47:37 · answer #7 · answered by CriticalThinkX 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get yourself into some sports or any other hobby that focuses your attention on something else and tires you out....
Try one day at a time, do it slowly and you will get over it!!
I was like you too, but than one fine day, i realised i have lots lots of fine clothes and shoes why buy more...i focused my attention more on the existing wardrobe and creating nice outfits everyday...
I never usually goto the mall all alone still, but go with my friends who know abt my problem and try to support me not to buy...
we usually goto movies at the mall and eat good food these days rather than buying clothes....
You have to learn to be satisfied with what you have...and remember people judge you by your behavior and how you carry yourself, not by your clothes or shoes and try to improve these aspects of life...
2006-12-18 08:41:37 · answer #8 · answered by Someday 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i do no longer think of it has something to do with morality, as much as that's a life-effecting situation. quite liking something does not make it an habit. a individual is addicted or "based" whilst there is a few impairment of their potential to p.c., the two whether or no longer they'll do it, or whilst or how lots whilst they begin. If a individual has detrimental consequences from the habit, ie. lost worktime, college paintings decline, family individuals disenchanted over being surpassed over or money spent, and so on. or approximately being dealt with poorly or surpassed over on an analogous time as the addict is of their habit, then it relatively is abuse. that's the theory of a few impairment of their potential to administration it or something approximately it that makes it an habit. there is one element a pair of authentic habit, that's that's very own appropriate instructor, no longer moralizers.
2016-10-05 11:36:12 · answer #9 · answered by riesgo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to a therapist. How did you get a credit card at 16? If you had your parents co-sign for it, get ready for them to kick you out of the house.
2006-12-18 08:37:14 · answer #10 · answered by cleanguy4cleanfun 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋