How to Determine if You Have a Shopping Addiction
Ranked #15,320 in Healthy Living, #238,158 overall
What to do About Shopping Addiction?
It is hard for someone to stop shopping in a society where the media is king. It's hard to avoid the message saying that if you don't buy this or that, you will be lonely for the rest of your life.
I know this from taking a Commercial Writing class. I was taught to sell the benefits of a certain product or service of the client.
I'm also the type of person that shops because I am either lonely, bored, or I need attention.
Like drugs, alcohol, and smoking, shopping is also an addiction in its own right. Now that I mention it, you can spend all your money on drugs, alcohol and smoking. So in a way how do you save money rather than spend it.
You might say to yourself that Budgeting is the answer. Oh really? Not many people can stick to writing down how much to spend on a piece of paper. For me, I ask this question: Where do you put that you bought a 591 mL bottle of Pepsi? Certainly not in groceries. And if you are an emotional shopper, you will definitely ignore budgeting.
So what can one person do?
I know this from taking a Commercial Writing class. I was taught to sell the benefits of a certain product or service of the client.
I'm also the type of person that shops because I am either lonely, bored, or I need attention.
Like drugs, alcohol, and smoking, shopping is also an addiction in its own right. Now that I mention it, you can spend all your money on drugs, alcohol and smoking. So in a way how do you save money rather than spend it.
You might say to yourself that Budgeting is the answer. Oh really? Not many people can stick to writing down how much to spend on a piece of paper. For me, I ask this question: Where do you put that you bought a 591 mL bottle of Pepsi? Certainly not in groceries. And if you are an emotional shopper, you will definitely ignore budgeting.
So what can one person do?
My Experience with Shopping Addiction
I remember going to a high end fashion store just to look around. No I didn't buy anything because I cannot afford to buy a $1,200 D&G shirt. And that shirt never interested me anyway. I would rather buy clothes at the mall that is under $100. And I have.
There are some people who, when they see expensive designer clothing which they cannot afford, buy it anyway.
My shopping problem started when I first moved out of the home to go to College. I started to buy stuff like CDs and things that I don't really need. The reason was boredom and loneliness.
When I mentioned this to counsellors and psychologist, in the 1990s, their response was to find a hobby that I enjoy. I did take up beading and sewing. But again spent money on those interests. So finding a hobby wasn't the answer. Neither is hanging out with friends. You will go to the bars, pubs, coffee and tea shops to spend money just to be with friends. So there is no way around it.
There are some people who, when they see expensive designer clothing which they cannot afford, buy it anyway.
My shopping problem started when I first moved out of the home to go to College. I started to buy stuff like CDs and things that I don't really need. The reason was boredom and loneliness.
When I mentioned this to counsellors and psychologist, in the 1990s, their response was to find a hobby that I enjoy. I did take up beading and sewing. But again spent money on those interests. So finding a hobby wasn't the answer. Neither is hanging out with friends. You will go to the bars, pubs, coffee and tea shops to spend money just to be with friends. So there is no way around it.
Why we Overshop?
I remember buying the book "To Shop Or Not To Shop" and then giving that book away as a Christmas present (That might be an idea as a gift. Not the book, but something you have used and still keep for no reason. You can give those away as Christmas gifts). And there are a number of reasons why people become shopaholics.
- To feel accepted.
- Prestige.
- To combat boredom.
- To escape daily problems (I also remember doing that once).
- To hide another addiction.
- You feel depressed or angry.
- To buy love - I have another personal example of this because my own mother does this. Not only to me, but to her brothers and sisters. No wonder I have problems saving money.
- Something that you do with a friend or family member on a daily or weekly basis.
- Everything is on sale! - Yes, you can also overspend on things that are on sale. Besides, even though the store says that there is a discount on items, you are still spending money and not saving it.
- To make you happy.
What can I do to Stop My Problem With Shopping?
Again, this is a hard question because we are living in a media dominated society.
You can talk to a financial advisor and counsellor, but there is more to this than meets the eye. I can also give you a list of things to do like meditate (Because that is free). However, it is hard to meditate when you are doing it for the first time. Meditation takes a lot of practice.
You can talk to a financial advisor and counsellor, but there is more to this than meets the eye. I can also give you a list of things to do like meditate (Because that is free). However, it is hard to meditate when you are doing it for the first time. Meditation takes a lot of practice.
Help for Shopaholics Online
Here's a list of online resources that I recommend that you visit. But before you do, I have to mention that some of them do require you to spend money on their products to help you stop being a shopaholic. What can you do since this world is all about capitalism? Besides there are a lot more resources on the web. If you know of one, please leave a message on my Guestbook.
- Shopaholics No More
- This is a site with all sorts of resources to help you with your shopping addiction. I don't know if this site still has those free meditations to download.
- Are You A Shopaholic?
- This is a blog that helps you identify this problem in more detail.
- Extreme Couponing or Compulsive Shopping Addiction?
- I didn't think that the show "Extreme Couponing" is all about compulsive shopping but this article says that it is to an extreme.
- Financial Social Work
- This is a site that will help you to take control of your money.
- Daily Strength
- This is an online support forum that also includes shopping addiction support groups.
- I Think I Have a Shopping Addiction
- Another blog with a personal experience in this addiction.
- Debtors Anonymous
- Debtors Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from compulsive debting.
- Apparently I Have A Shopping Addiction - My Impulse Purchases From QVC Last Night
- Another entertaining story.
- Hey Big Spender
- This is a UK group that raises awareness of being a shopaholic.
- Hynosisdownloads.com
- Yes, they have a MP3 that you have to pay to download all about shopping addiction.
- Shop Your Wardrobe
- The Shop Your Wardrobe program is a 12 month online program for women who want to develop a healthier relationship to shopping who want support and inspiration.
- Squidoo : Squidoo : show
- Squidoo Home |
Login |
SquidU About Squidoo
FAQ
Bugs & Feedback
Developers
Downloads
Explore
Topics
Top 100
Squidoo : showIntroducing The Squidoo Bookmarklet
With the Squidoo Bookmarklet in hand, you are only ever just one click away from adding great content to your lens. The Bookma
Books About Shopping Addiction
Yes, I know this is contradicting about what I am writing about. But this is the world we live in. So here are the books
What Causes Shopping Addiction
Watch this because there might be something in this video that I have forgotten to write in this article. But it is important.
powered by Youtube
Compulsive Shopping Addiction and Spending Intervention and Treatment with Terrence Shulman
powered by Youtube
Twitter Shopping Addiction Mood
If you have to do it tweet about what mood you are in when shopping.
- RT @bitchprblmz: "Hi my name is ______ & I have a horrible shopping addiction" #mylifestory
- @daltong15 work with daddy full time and support my shopping addiction! #soundslikeagreatlife
- RT @Ciara_Nolan: I've got more money than sense!! I have a serious shopping addiction!! Not to stop buying new clothes -_-
- RT @AstyPastyYeh: Exercising my Shopping addiction with @AmberIsAGinge eeeeeeeeeee!
- Going to shoot my bank for stopping my online shopping addiction !!!!! Screw you Santander your wank
Shopping Support Guestbook
-
-
cyoulookn1
Apr 21, 2011 @ 11:18 pm | delete
- Great Lens ! Check out some of mine !
Sincerly,
Philly Rich , CEO
www.mallcat.com
-
-
-
szeman
Apr 21, 2011 @ 11:28 pm | delete
- cyoulookn1,
I guess this is one way to get more people to your lenses.
-
-
-
Ramkitten
Apr 20, 2011 @ 11:08 pm | delete
- I like that you've shared your personal story and then given others some good resources that can help them with the same issue. Nicely done.
-
-
-
szeman
Apr 20, 2011 @ 11:16 pm | delete
- Ramkitten,
I don't always write about me. I write because I want people to relate to me. And yes, I am not the only one that has a Shopping Addiction.
-
-
-
Othercat
Apr 15, 2011 @ 2:29 am | delete
- I'm somewhere in between. I have a budget and I stick to it, but I also make sure to spend every last penny of my play money. I just can't pass up a good deal!
-
- Load More
by szeman
I am currently studying Broadcasting at Mount Royal University here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. And I love to write about topics that I am more inter... more »
- 5 featured lenses
- Winner of 11 trophies!
- Top lens » Creating Your Own Online Radio Station
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Best Nebulizers - Guide for Buying Nebulizers - An Asthmatic's Review Best Nebulizers - Guide for Buying Nebulizers - An Asthmatic's Review
- Pink High Heel Shoes Pink High Heel Shoes
- Tiny Prints Promo Code 2012 - LOTS OF DISCOUNTS! Tiny Prints Promo Code 2012 - LOTS OF DISCOUNTS!
- Marketing Ethics and Criticism Marketing Ethics and Criticism
- ECommerce - What You Need To Know To Succeed ECommerce - What You Need To Know To Succeed
- Marilyn Monroe Pictures, Posters, Costumes & Dolls Marilyn Monroe Pictures, Posters, Costumes & Dolls
Some Sites to Help You With Your Shopping
