What is the best way to treat emotional and compulsive spending habits?

Question

Okay my major problem when I go shopping is that I buy things on an impulse and then when I get home I regret making the purchase. The thing is though everything that I tend to buy on impulse I can afford. These conditions really started to take effect when I begin making my own money and spending it. Is this suppose to be a natural feeling that people get when they shop? For example the other day I bought this nice watch from a department store. I looked at once and quickly bought it with out any question and it was on sale. When I got home though I had a major case of buyer's remorse and returned the watch that day. Is there anyway to cure this condition?

Answer 1

Stop shopping for a while. Look online but don't buy. Save up for the things you want. Determine what you need vs what you want and in the grand scheme of things, is what you are going to buy really add to your life that much?

I use to cherish things I would buy on impulse also. I would decide to buy something when heading out, look at a couple of stores and just buy, sometimes with remorse. Then came my divorce. Nothing really makes you take stock of your "stuff" until it is listed on three pages in a divorce settlement and is being divided just based on value. It's disheartening to sum up years of purchasing stuff to just a list that has no sentimentality in the eyes of the court. After many arguments and fights when dividing it all up, you just have to realize it's just "Stuff". I finally had to just let stuff go as I wanted to finalize the head and heartache. I knew I could always replace it, but I really took stock of if I truly needed to. I actually took the proceeds from my house and opened up my own business, which generates income for me to have a nice nest egg for the future.

Good luck and stay away from the stores!

Answer 2

I suggest you go home and give it 48 hours before purchasing something you might feel compelled to buy. Chances are the impulse will pass and you'll realize you didn't want the item.

You mentioned this habit is not hurting you financially, and you get a good feeling from shopping. Maybe you could get the same feeling, or a better one, if you used your extra money for charity! Or invest it for those days when you'll be too old to work and wishing you had some cash for retirement needs rather than something materialistic. I'm sure peace of mind would leave you feeling better than shopping any day! Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yep, been there, done that. Had clothes hanging in the closet with the tags still attached. Six pairs of blue boots.... and only two feet. Then I read a tip in a magazine. It said to walk away from the item for 10 minutes. Go to another part of the store. If it's still on your mind, buy. If not, you've dodged the bullet. Most of the time this has worked for me. The other day I saw a beautiful gold jacket with a fur collar. During the 10 minute absence from it, I asked myself.... " And just where in the world would you wear something that fancy".

Answer 4

it somewhat is distinctly wide-unfold, distinctly in case you have only started making your individual money. i think of to a pair degree, maximum individuals bypass with the aid of something comparable. the significant element is which you do no longer permit this develop right into a life habit. What you should do is to create a funds. Make an extremely basic plan for the style you will spend all the money which you're making (like 20% reductions, 10% procuring, 50% living fees - motor vehicle, domicile, despite). It does not surely count number the style you allocate it, only make a plan which you're pleased with. Then shop on with THE PLAN. be certain which you take the reductions money out of your account. That way you could not spend it on something. If the only money you have left on your account is the money which you already desperate ahead which you have been going to blow on procuring/having relaxing/despite, then you truly can spend it freely. maximum extreme, you will savour your procuring greater considering the fact which you do no longer ought to experience in charge. you're spending the money on precisely what you planned to.

Answer 5

There was an article this fall about compulsive spending habits and it was compared to obsessive compulsive disorder. I know what you mean about the guilt you experience and the bags that seem to pile up. I notice when I preoccupy myself with other things, like paying bills and taking care of domestic/house issues, I stay away from the mall. I hated being unemployed, but noticed that when I had little to no money at all, clothes, shoes, and other material things didn't matter anymore, I avoided the stores/malls.

Somehow we are trying to fill a void within ourselves and think that buying things fills it.

Answer 6

I wnet through that myself for many years. Unlike you however, I really couldn't comfortably afford those things and really didn't need them either.

I have found this to be similar to those with eating issues. Truly it is not WHAT they are eating, but instead, WHAT is eating them? Meaning that in order to cure the disease you first need to combat the source.

Therapy really helped me. Much of this compulsion to sepnd and the "high" you get does stem from an unfulfilled self. There are underlying reasons that you are doind what you are doing, much of which come from trying to fill an emptiness inside.

Please take a strong look at what other issues may be playing into this (lonliness, boredom, sadness, self-worth, etc.) and seek a good counselor that can help you. Make sure thay have worked with others with the same issue and find out thier success rate.

It may not be out of hand now, but if you don't get it under control, it soon can be. Good luck!

Answer 7

it's normal to buy out of impulse. it happens to everybody. that's why it's called SHOPPING for some of the things we buy aren't planned nor listed.