How can I make myself stop spending money I don't have!?

Question

Please help me, I've lost all control!

I keep buying things on my credit cards, and I can't afford this at all. I make very little money. But I'm spending as if I were rich. How can I stop this? It's insane!

Answer 1

You need to change your attitude. The attitude comes first. I don't know how to suggest to do this, but it's all about changing your attitude so that you may discipline yourself. You pretty much need to treat this as though you were heading for gambler's anonymous. This is serious business and could lead you straight to bankruptcy. Do you own your house, or do you rent? How much is charged up on your cards? Cancel them now! Pay down all of your debts, make more than the minimum payment. Do not walk into a mall, shopping center, or any other facility that will get those feelings going. This includes Target, Costco, Wal-mart. You need to seek the equivalent of gambler's anonymous. Talk to a counselor, if nothing else as this needs immediate attention.
Good luck to you in whatever you decide for your situation--my thoughts are with you.

Answer 2

You are in good company!

All the credit card companies money lenders are familar with that fact and that's how they make there Billions.

When they don't have enough, they send out a few million more and you receive them in the mail telling you how you qualify.

The larger your account, the more interest your account builds and they collect.

Try to buy your account down about half way to avoid the interest!

And always keep your spending below the money that you can pay in a month.

Or if you spend too much one month than spend less the next month!

That way you will always have the avaible credit when you need it!

Avoid paying your card payments late cause the fees can add up and keep track of the fees that keep adding on every month automatically.

Its enough to to have to pay that yearly fee, but they want you to pay $5.00 here, for credit protection or 7.00 there, for Identity Theft, then more for any other reason they can think of!

Unless you live in a bad area, and fear someone taking and using you card, or if you need to skip a month( some cards are different) theres a good chance you don't even need them!

Use you credit card like a bank account.

When you get paid pay most of you check to your card, but use it to pay your other bills, food, gas, and utilities.

When you want to save, just dont spend as much for the things that you dont nessarily need.

By not spending as much , you are increasing the amount of available credit on your card!

Another bad choice, would be use your credit card to supple cash for any use.

Depending on the credit card company you have, if you use your available credit for a cash payment then chances are you could be paying higher than normal interest and on some companies, you wont pay off the cash purchaes until you pay off the card.

Answer 3

listen to me, i used to have the same problem
now i don't


1. you have to know that you need to earn 2 dollar for every 1 you spend, because of tax, gas, food, rent, whatever
if you make $1000 a month, you're guranteed to spend over $500 on stuff you must pay for, you'll problly spend the whole 1000, so trust me if you buy a sandwich for $1, it actually cost $2

2. make a budget, on all the things you buy and how you'll pay back the money you owe, and what you can afford to buy to make you happy, i call it luxury items

3. anytime you want to buy something, don't, just look at it, and go home to think about it for a few days, and if you really really need it, then wait for it to go on sale, then buy it, if not, then buy it as your luxury item for the month

that's it, and only carry $20 cash and 1 credit card when you go out and try to not use the card

Answer 4

It sounds like you're a spendaholic. Though I have never had that particular problem, I have had other "isms". There is a saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Some armchair psychology for you...There is something within YOU (emotionally) that you are trying to fill up with all the things you buy. Something you're not looking at. A feeling you don't want to feel. A reality of your life that is painful to see that you're trying to avoid. Maybe you're p.o.'d at the spouse, hate your job, living situation, etc. Dunno. 2 things I know for sure. The answer is within you and you can stop. My advice would be to find and talk to a good therapist (through recommendation only) and check out a Gamblers Anonymous meeting. Yes, I know you don't have a gambling problem but spending like you are sounds like a similar spending pattern common among gamblers. It is also common among bipolar disorder as well (hence the therapist recommendation). Good luck !

Answer 5

Cut up all credit cards. Join a credit union and take out a loan to consolidate all your credit card bills. You are paying anywhere from 18-30% interest on your credit cards. Your loan from a credit union will run you about 6-8% depending on your credit score. Don't use a credit card again unless you can pay the entire balance when you get the bill. It's hard but you will get used to it. The only "bills" you should have are mortgage and car payment. Those are manageble interest rates.

Answer 6

I know it's hard, but leave your wallet (include cash and credit cards) at home when you go out. That's what people keep telling me to do. But then as to ordering things on the Internet . . . there is something called Shoppers Anonymous, I believe. You might check that out. The basic 12-step program as applied to compulsive buying.

Just for today, resolve not to make a single purchase. Do that one day at a time. And when something really is NECESSARY, be as stern as your accountant would be about justifying the necessity, and shop for the best bargain.

Answer 7

Self discipline after appropriate counseling for discovering why you experience this behavior. Always very enlightening.

Usually, such behavior is either an anxiety "reducer" (for a while) and/or a filling up of the "void" within.

Actually, both can be greatly reduced by cardio type exercising regularly and meditating and doing yoga regularly, as well. These together will help to reconnect you to the "deeper" parts of yourself, and the void will start disappearing

And, really , actually, all humans need to be well connected to their "soul" in a conscious way. This culture promotes the opposite --being well connected to your ego. This is, sadly, not too healthy. And, the more sensitive you are, the earlier and more strongly you will feel the "disconnect". The practices will help you to "reconnect". Good luck :))

Answer 8

Leave your credit cards at home.

If you are purchasing things while at home, wrap them in something that you can't see through and then freeze them in a block of ice. The ice will take time to thaw so you will have time to stop and think about whether you really need that item or not and the wrapping keep you from seeing the numbers.

Also, go to the following link for help in getting out of debt.

Answer 9

Options include, cutting up the credit card, leaving the credit card at home when shopping, reducing the maximum you can spend on a credit card.
Buying things is nice but it is an even better thing when you actually own them outright.

Answer 10

I don't know I have the same problem I cut up all but 1 of my cards but when it comes to car insurance...or the must pay bills I pay with the card I have since I can't come up with the cash.. Its a big trap and with the interest they charge its hard to come even ever for me. On one card I pay $200 a month and yet it never goes down when I pay because the interest is so much.
Good luck!