Shopaholic? Let's face it . . . who hasn't felt like a shopaholic from time to time? Step 1 is admitting that you are one. We all get carried away occasionally. I am hoping that these suggestions on emotional shopping will help all of us with those occasional shopaholic binges. There are simple ways to tame this desire and slowly you can not only learn to cut back and shop less, but save big time too!
There's nothing wrong with enjoying the resources we've been blessed with as long as we're debt-free, tithing and acting generously toward those who are less fortunate. But an epidemic of overindulgence has plagued the personal finances of Americans. According to the Center for American Progress, household debt averaged 163.7 percent of disposable income in late 2009, a record high. With savings at the lowest level since the Great Depression, many consumers are relying on credit cards to pay essentials such as medical bills, car repairs and rent. Credit card companies LOVE you.....but sit down and do the math. That trip you booked for $500 that will take you years to pay off will end up costing you 3 times that amount. Rule #1: Don't charge unless you have to. If you cannot pay it off in 3 months (thats my personal rule, you DON'T NEED IT!) Wouldn't you rather have the extra cash vs. giving it to these big banks and lenders? I would.
Do what I do.....I love to shop, really I do, but before I decide to go for the weekend with the girls to Chicago, NYC or the city to shop of your choice, ...it might even be in your own neighborhood. I just left Houston where the Galleria was at my fingertips.....before I leave the house, I go through my closet and got set clothes aside that I no long wanted, or needed to make room for the new. If you have an organization to donate them to, do so. Might I highly recommend calling your local womens shelter and asking them if they need womens business attire? I have a very soft spot for these shelters as generally they are overlooked. There are women who have been uprooted due to spousal abuse, boyfriends/partners having been assaulted, etc and have to start anew from scratch. Help them out please! If you cannot clear out some of your closet before you go shopping......there is your problem! You don't need any more!
Pain and prevention
Experts recommend redirect spending urges into activities (such as date night with your spouse) that may meet the underlying need. I also find it helpful to pray for wisdom before I enter a store.
Here are some additional tips to consider during the Christmas season (and year-round):
"Fill up" before you head out., and I don't mean the gas tank,..... It's never a good idea to grocery shop on an empty stomach; (note to self) it's even a worse idea to do shopping of any kind on an empty heart. If possible, spend some quality time with your spouse/partner/family before heading out. Discuss recent stresses and desires. Better yet, bring someone with you and keep each other in check.
Masking a list and checking it twice..... Make a shopping list. You heard me...."write it down" if it's not on the list, DON'T BUY IT!
If an item not on your list ends up in your cart, ask yourself, Why am I buying this?.....or how did that get there? My kids used to be famous for adding things to the cart without my knowledge until I reached the checkout....then it was "Surprise!"..... If you can't come up with a sensible answer as to why you are purchasing this, you probably need to put the item back. Be sure to scan your cart again before checking out. (note to self again!)
Ask yourself if there is a cheaper route to take? Is there a less expensive version of the item you just chose? It might not be as attractive, but you'll leave the store with more money in your wallet.
Get the generic brands! Ask yourself, What am I really trying to buy? Will a cart full of binders, day planners and gel pens really help you become more organized, or do you just need to become more disciplined using the supplies you have at home? Do you really need to shell out a small fortune for the latest mineral makeup, or would telling your husband you'd like more attention serve the same purpose? My answer would be NO! You are buying the company (brand name) Read the ingredients; especially in medicines, they are mostly likely always the same, no difference. I have plenty of Target, Walmart and Walgreen meds in my bathroom drawer that used to be brand named products, no more,..why? Why pay full price if you don't have to? If someone makes the same meds, same ingredients, etc....just w/o the brand name.....Trust me, it will save you a great deal of money over time!
The real answer is often cheaper, more effective and more fulfilling. I treat myself to those high quality items that I "have to have" because I saved everywhere I possibly could to do so. I coupon clip, bargain shop and surf Craig's List. Shopping Malls and Retail plaza can make a mint from you in on outing if you don't go with ideas in mind, and a shopping list. If you are hungry like I generally am, stay home! Eat first! I need to work on that one.....guilty as charged! I'm not saying that you shouldn't go shopping.....I am simply stating that you should definitely not let shopping take you for a ride.....or you can end up in debt beyond your control!
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There's nothing wrong with enjoying the resources we've been blessed with as long as we're debt-free, tithing and acting generously toward those who are less fortunate. But an epidemic of overindulgence has plagued the personal finances of Americans. According to the Center for American Progress, household debt averaged 163.7 percent of disposable income in late 2009, a record high. With savings at the lowest level since the Great Depression, many consumers are relying on credit cards to pay essentials such as medical bills, car repairs and rent. Credit card companies LOVE you.....but sit down and do the math. That trip you booked for $500 that will take you years to pay off will end up costing you 3 times that amount. Rule #1: Don't charge unless you have to. If you cannot pay it off in 3 months (thats my personal rule, you DON'T NEED IT!) Wouldn't you rather have the extra cash vs. giving it to these big banks and lenders? I would.
Do what I do.....I love to shop, really I do, but before I decide to go for the weekend with the girls to Chicago, NYC or the city to shop of your choice, ...it might even be in your own neighborhood. I just left Houston where the Galleria was at my fingertips.....before I leave the house, I go through my closet and got set clothes aside that I no long wanted, or needed to make room for the new. If you have an organization to donate them to, do so. Might I highly recommend calling your local womens shelter and asking them if they need womens business attire? I have a very soft spot for these shelters as generally they are overlooked. There are women who have been uprooted due to spousal abuse, boyfriends/partners having been assaulted, etc and have to start anew from scratch. Help them out please! If you cannot clear out some of your closet before you go shopping......there is your problem! You don't need any more!
Pain and prevention
Experts recommend redirect spending urges into activities (such as date night with your spouse) that may meet the underlying need. I also find it helpful to pray for wisdom before I enter a store.
Here are some additional tips to consider during the Christmas season (and year-round):
"Fill up" before you head out., and I don't mean the gas tank,..... It's never a good idea to grocery shop on an empty stomach; (note to self) it's even a worse idea to do shopping of any kind on an empty heart. If possible, spend some quality time with your spouse/partner/family before heading out. Discuss recent stresses and desires. Better yet, bring someone with you and keep each other in check.
Masking a list and checking it twice..... Make a shopping list. You heard me...."write it down" if it's not on the list, DON'T BUY IT!
If an item not on your list ends up in your cart, ask yourself, Why am I buying this?.....or how did that get there? My kids used to be famous for adding things to the cart without my knowledge until I reached the checkout....then it was "Surprise!"..... If you can't come up with a sensible answer as to why you are purchasing this, you probably need to put the item back. Be sure to scan your cart again before checking out. (note to self again!)
Ask yourself if there is a cheaper route to take? Is there a less expensive version of the item you just chose? It might not be as attractive, but you'll leave the store with more money in your wallet.
Get the generic brands! Ask yourself, What am I really trying to buy? Will a cart full of binders, day planners and gel pens really help you become more organized, or do you just need to become more disciplined using the supplies you have at home? Do you really need to shell out a small fortune for the latest mineral makeup, or would telling your husband you'd like more attention serve the same purpose? My answer would be NO! You are buying the company (brand name) Read the ingredients; especially in medicines, they are mostly likely always the same, no difference. I have plenty of Target, Walmart and Walgreen meds in my bathroom drawer that used to be brand named products, no more,..why? Why pay full price if you don't have to? If someone makes the same meds, same ingredients, etc....just w/o the brand name.....Trust me, it will save you a great deal of money over time!
The real answer is often cheaper, more effective and more fulfilling. I treat myself to those high quality items that I "have to have" because I saved everywhere I possibly could to do so. I coupon clip, bargain shop and surf Craig's List. Shopping Malls and Retail plaza can make a mint from you in on outing if you don't go with ideas in mind, and a shopping list. If you are hungry like I generally am, stay home! Eat first! I need to work on that one.....guilty as charged! I'm not saying that you shouldn't go shopping.....I am simply stating that you should definitely not let shopping take you for a ride.....or you can end up in debt beyond your control!
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