Are You a Compulsive Shopper?

If you’re obsessed with shopping and have the credit card debt to prove it, learn where to go for help, as well as tips to help you resist the urge to shop.

Do you find it hard to pass up a “good deal?” Have you maxed out your credit cards by making too many impulsive purchases? Do you find it difficult to walk around the mounting shopping bags in your home? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, perhaps it’s time for a compulsive shopper intervention.

Recognizing that you are indeed a compulsive shopper is step one. Step two involves addressing the problem head on, perhaps with the assistance of a close friend or family member, support group, or mental health professional.

Taking the First Step

First, let’s define what it means to be a compulsive shopper. MedicineNet.com defines the condition as: “An obsession with shopping that significantly interferes with the functioning of the individual. The signs are a preoccupation with shopping; anxiety when not shopping; a constant need for a shopping ‘fix’; shopping to excess that results in debt and family or marital discord; and the frequent purchase of items that go unused.”

While some people shop for fun, others do so to fulfill some void in their lives or for a medical reason beyond their control. Whether over-shopping is a mental disorder is debatable, but some medical research suggests that’s a possibility. In fact, an article in the Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience journal makes a case for seeing compulsive shopping as a genuine disorder on the impulse-control continuum.

Whatever the reason, if you share any of these shopaholic traits, you may be a compulsive shopper. Still not sure? Try downloading the free shopaholic self-assessment at Shopaholic No More.

Tips for Avoiding Compulsive Shopping

Now that you’ve realized how out of control your shopping habits may be, there are several things you can do to prevent incurring more debt. Here are some tips:

• Stop charging. It’s easy to offer up one of your credit cards as a form of payment at your local merchant. It’s harder to make that same purchasing decision if you limit yourself to spending only cash, writing a check, or using your debit card. Stop using your credit cards and you’ll likely stop making a lot of your typical purchases. View credit cards as something you can only use for an emergency. And no, a great sale on shoes or an entertainment center isn’t an emergency. We’re talking about real emergencies here!
   
• Shop from a list and stick to a budget. This is an important tip, especially when you enter a big box or discount warehouse store. It’s easy to be tempted by door-busters meant to entice you into stores in the first place, as well as other items in this type of store. Avoid them and focus exclusively on your list. Don’t stray from it and you’ll be able to stick to your budget.
   
• Leave your wallet at home. If you get an emotional boost from walking through malls, try window shopping and leave your wallet at home. If you don’t have money on you, you can’t make an impulse purchase. And, you’ll get the added bonus of working in some exercise while you’re at it.
   
• Turn off the TV and step away from your computer or mobile device. Home shopping networks and online retailers have made it easy for people to shop 24/7. In return, we’ve created unhealthy shopping habits and added to our debt. Turn off the electronic devices and choose a book instead. Or, plan an outing with your family or friends at a place where you can’t spend money. Examples include walking in a park or planning a potluck meal at your home. Click here for more inexpensive entertainment ideas.
   
• Get help and support. If you find you can’t overcome the shopping urge alone, there are plenty of organizations that are ready to help. Try a support group like Debtors Anonymous or visit Shopaholic No More, which claims there are more than 18 million shopaholics in America. So if you’re among them, clearly, you’re not alone. This should give you comfort. You can also talk to your primary care doctor and seek a referral to a psychologist. Perhaps antidepressant medication can decrease your anxiety levels and address your compulsive shopping behaviors.

Finally, if you need financial help to address the debt caused by your shopping addiction, CareOne’s money management tools can help. You’ll find budgeting resources, financial calculators, tips for getting out of credit card debt, and more. Also, read, watch, or listen to Success Stories from other consumers who learned how to stretch their resources and their income to conquer debt. 
 

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