Why Compulsive Spending Hurts You And How To Stop Doing It
Shopping is a popular pastime for people of all ages. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, people under 35 years of age spend more on apparel and services than any other age group. If you are under the age of 35 and have money to spend, odds are that you can relate to this. There are the obvious exceptions such as financially responsible youth, or shopaholic adults but for the most part young people are a lot more likely to spend money on things they do not need.
Do you ever go to the mall to “window shop” only to walk out holding 3 bags after having had lunch at the food court? I know this feeling all too well and can say that the feeling of satisfaction is only short-lived in comparison to the feeling of regret when you realize that your wallet feels a lot lighter. If you can relate to this feeling, you may have a problem that is asking to be fixed.
There are multiple steps to take in order this unfortunate habit. These steps include: * Identifying whether or not you have a problem * Determining the reasons you manage to accommodate this problem * Finding the easiest ways for you to stop compulsive purchases What is compulsive shopping?

(Woman holding multiple shopping bags)
Many people go to the supermarket in search for one item and come back with bags full of unnecessary groceries. Sometimes you walk into a store only to realize that you’ve been in need of a burgundy scarf but did not realize until you saw it on the sale rack. Whether you shop well over what your budget allows you, or you can afford the purchases you make, if you find yourself buying things that you do not need, you may be a compulsive shopper. Sometimes this attitude is affected by your mood or the weather, other times it’s a year-round activity. Either way, shopping can quickly become an addiction if you do not get it under control. If you ever feel like shopping is the solutions to your problems, I would say that it is one of your problems. Shopping should be an enjoyable experience but it should not be your go-to solution for everything. Nor should it ever make you feel bad or regretful. You should feel about shopping the way you feel about eating: something you need to do on occasion that can also be enjoyable. If you think do not know when to stop shopping, or have good reasons to shop in the first place, you may be a compulsive shopper. When does shopping become “too much”? If your finances are hurting because of your spending activities, you don’t need anyone to tell you that you are being irresponsible. Looking at your bank statements can usually tell you if your hobby may have turned into an addiction. On the other hand, if you do not feel as though your passion for buying things is draining your bank account, you may need to look elsewhere. When you find yourself buying things only to have them end up unused and stored in the back of your closet, you may be doing something wrong. If you go out shopping for the sales, instead of your needs, you are also doing something wrong. You know you have a problem when you just feel the need to buy something just because someone is willing to sell it to you. I know I am definitely guilty of the last one. Whatever the telltale signs, it is important that you identify them in order to start the process leading you to healthy shopping habits. You need to be aware of the behaviors we lean towards that the shopping industry will try to exploit. For example, when I force myself to look away from the snacks that you can usually find by the cash registers to avoid any more extra purchase. The reason these snacks are not with the rest of the food in aisle 3 is because stores know that we are prone to thinking that we need something when it is right in front of us.

How can you reduce the chances of going on one too many shopping sprees? (Consumer typing credit card information) Try any of these tips (or all, if you can) and you will be well on your way to healthier spending patterns.
1. If you have a credit or debit card, it may be doing more harm than you think. The convenience of making a purchase with the swipe of a card leaves us not realizing how much we spend. If you go are going out, try to use cash instead of a card as it can help you keep track of how much money you are spending.
2. If you plan on going shopping, maybe write a list and make a budget so that you do not go over, buying things that you do not need. Keep in mind that if you did not have a need for it when you left your house, it’s probably not very important that you get it.
3. My most important piece of advice would be to avoid sales and discounts. You may think that buying 5 tubs of ice cream for the price of 3 is a great deal, but unless you’re having an ice cream social you don’t need all of that. People often feel drawn to discounts because they think they are getting a great deal. In my experience, I would say that most items do not need to be purchased in bulk because you can only use so much at a time. This is particularly true for perishable items because you find yourself rushing to finish 3 times your usual amount before the expiration date, all because they were on sale. Once that happens, you go out again and get the same amount at a discount without realizing that you could spend less if you bought less and consumed it at a normal pace.
4. This next tip may be particularly hard for the avid shopper but you if you can reduce your “window shopping” and online shopping hours, you can save up quite a bit. “Window shopping” is just an excuse to go out and search for ways to spend your money. If you do not have a good reason to go out shopping (see tip #3 above), ask yourself if it will really make you that happy. Trust me, odds are your wallet will be happier if you don’t go. The same goes for online shopping; unless you are looking for something specific do not let yourself make any purchases. It does not matter how much you absolutely adore the black pleather skirt from your favorite store, don’t get it because you don’t need it. You are also more likely to like things you see online because you can’t try them on to see if they actually look good on you rather than on the mannequin. Online shopping also implies the use of a debit or credit card, which we have established is something you should be wary of when making purchases.
5. If these tips do not help, or you find yourself unable to find some self-control, just ask for help. If you are at a point where you are in control of your impulses, you can ask that your friends and family encourage you to stay on track or see professional help in case of real addiction. If you read through all of this, it's safe to say that you are on the right path. As people say, "the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem" and if you somehow found your way to this blog post, you had the idea that you might have a problem. Hopefully this post has helped you learn some things about yourself and can help you in the future. Like most avid shoppers, I understand how hard it can be to say 'no' to dress when it's just so easy to say 'yes'. I only ask that you trust me when I say that only good will come of your improved spending habits. Your wallet will thank you, and your head will feel lighter.