Compulsive spending involves feeling compelled to spend money on items you don’t want or need. Sometimes, you might spend money on items you already have plenty of. For example, even though you love getting new shoes, if you already have 20 pairs of them, it’s probably safe to say you don’t need another.
Signs You May Be Spending Compulsively
Do any of these signs feel familiar?
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- You spend all your money as soon as you get it. On payday, you might pay some bills. Then, you happily go out to spend any money you have left over. Maybe there’s an ample clearance on home improvement tools, or the dress boutique is having a going-out-of-business sale. Whatever the case, you deplete the money you obtain.
- You use charge cards to buy items when you have no money. A financially dangerous habit, using charge cards to keep buying once the cash is gone can devastate your money and living situation.
- You shop when you feel moody, anxious, or upset in some way. Your feelings largely depend on whether you’re shopping since shopping comforts you during stress.
- You feel your spending is out of control. No matter what you do, you can’t stop.
- Your shopping causes difficulties in your life. You perhaps have arguments with your spouse about all the money you spend. Sometimes, you aren’t honest about what you spend.
How to Stop
If you experience even one of these points above, there’s a real possibility you’re dealing with compulsive spending.
Use these strategies to quell your urges to spend:
- Make a contract with yourself to stop spending. Write it out and sign it. Find the confidence to change your direction.
- For now, remove credit cards from your wallet. If you believe you have the fortitude to use a credit card only for emergencies, keep only 1 card in your billfold. Pay cash for everything. Budget your daily cash amount, and when you run out of cash, you’re done spending (on anything) for the rest of the day.
- Contemplate your money situation. How long has it been going on? How did you get started spending compulsively? Are there specific situations that trigger you to shop now? How do you feel when spending money? Work hard to gain an understanding of your drive to spend compulsively.
- Charge yourself for spending. Every time you spend money on something other than groceries, gas, or utility bills, pay yourself $20.00. You must return the $20.00 to have it ready when the bill for the frivolous items comes in.
- Write down all expenditures. When you see on paper the amount you spent and what you spent it for, it somehow becomes real. In a sense, you’re forcing yourself to think about and process your actions.
- Examine the possessions you already have. Do you like and use all of them? If you have several debts due to your past credit card spending, consider how to return or re-sell some items you’ve purchased haphazardly. Then, use that money to pay off the debts.
- Recognize spending money doesn’t buy you happiness. Be honest: has surrounding yourself with stuff you bought with your hard-earned money provided you the life you seek?
- Empower yourself by becoming more conscious about how spending affects your life. List how your life would change if you had no debt and used money wisely.
- Make contact with the Debtors Anonymous group in your area. Asking for help is the wise thing to do whenever you believe your spending is out of control. Going to Debtors Anonymous won’t cost a dime and can support you to get your life back on track.
If you’ve identified yourself as one who spends compulsively, you’ve taken a first step in the right direction. Making a contract, avoiding credit cards, charging for spending, keeping track of expenditures, and returning or re-selling unused purchased items will help you get a grip.
Also, listing how your life will change when you stop spending, realizing spending doesn’t make you happy, and going to Debtors Anonymous will set you on a positive path to absolute emotional and financial freedom.