How to control my shopping addiction.. I need help please?

Question

I am 22 years old and I am addicted to shopping. And I just want to say that I am looking for nice advice and I would appreciate no nasty comments. I am a single mom also of my 3 and a half year old daughter. Just so you know, I have over 4 000 $ in a savings account for my daughter so far, so I am saving money for her . But I am addicted to shopping. I can literally go shopping every day. And it's at a point that I don't enjoy shopping, but I just feel the need to go all the time, and because of that I end up buying stuff I don't need. I have decided that today is the day that my addiction will stop. I can't keep doing this to myself and my daughter. And today I didn't go shopping and I am proud of myself. And I just need advice on other things that I can do at home or elsewhere that is not shopping. And when my daughter needs clothes, I can literally spend a couple hundred dollars on clothes that she already has plenty of. How can I cut back a lot a lot of my shopping habits. And I will still have to go shopping for groceries or clothes or cleaning products but how can I just stick to what I need to get. Maybe the answer is obvious for you people, but for me, I need the advice

Answer 1

Make a shopping list, and stick too it. Bring someone with you to do the shopping and make sure you don't get whats not on your list. Set asside $50/mo to go out specifically to buy whatever you want.



Pick up a home based craft hobby. (scrapbooking, stenciling, or something like that) That way you can make "new" things, but don't have to buy them!

Answer 2

First, call all of your credit cards and cancel them. You may want to consolidate them or work with a reliable debit angency so you may not have to owe 100% of your credit card debt. Find other fun (and free!) things to do with your daughter, like go to the park, do crafts, have "girl's night", make a mini movie with dolls, make a book, bake cookies, play games, etc. Before you step foot in that store, think of what you really need. Very specific shopping lists help me focus on what I need so I don't get offtrack and start looking at other things I don't need. Always THINK after picking up something in a store. Do you need it? Do you already have 5 of the same thing at home? Also think of your goals in the future. Do you want to save for a new car? Purchase a condo or home? Finish college (if you haven't already), etc. Saving $5 here and $15 there can really save up. The main thing is to just think about what you are doing. Staying away from some stores altogether can help immensely.

Answer 3

Set yourself a monthly shopping budget and get a financial management software like Quicken - most computers come with something already loaded.



It doesn't mean you can't shop, but maybe give yourself a budget of $100/month. If you don't use it one month you can roll over the balance to the next month. It will make you really consider what you are buying. If you spend the money on the 1st of the month, you have to stick to no shopping for the rest of the month.



Set up a shopping category on Quicken so you can keep track of what you are actually buying.



Also you can try forcing yourself to sell something of the same value as what you buy. So if you buy a t-shirt for $10, you need to find something you already own to sell for at least $10 on Ebay.

Answer 4

Don't beat yourself up. People have addictions that may seem small or easily fixed by one person and it is totally not by another person.



One thing I would advise you to do is to leave all money and any debit/credit cards at home. That way when you feel the need to shop you can go and look but won't have the money with you to buy anything.



I would also have a friend or a parent go with you when you go grocery shopping or clothes shopping. That way you are accountable to someone for what you spent.

Answer 5

If you need something, write a list and stick to it. Write "One thing extra, maximum price $--", so if you see something, you know whether or not you should buy it.



If you're in a situation where you want to buy something, stop and think about it. Do you really need it? Think carefully, and try your hardest not to buy it if you don't need it or you don't think you'd use it.



Have a garage sale and sell all the things you don't use or want. You can also donate clothes and toys, or take them to your local charity shop, or maybe attend a car boot sale. This is a great way to earn some extra $ by selling stuff you don't need.



Maybe you could make paper tokens, and put one in a jar each time you buy something you don't need. Count these up at the end of the week/fortnight/month.



Good luck and good for you!

Answer 6

My best advice is this. Cut the credit cards as well as the checking account and use cash. Take only enough cash with for the purchases you need. Its a LOT harder to impulse buy this way. If you feel the urge to shop daily break up your weekly grocery trips into a few items per day.

Answer 7

cut up all the plastics and the checkbook until you have it under control. Carry only cash. Maybe give someone like a mom or friend a debit card to hold onto for you so if there is an emergency you can have some quick access to your bank accounts.



Always shop with a list. Put time into making it each week, and never stray from it!

Answer 8

You need two things. A shopping list and a buddy. Never go into the store alone, always have your list and just cash. No credit cards in your wallet. Ask your mom or a friend to shop with you.

Answer 9

merely like quite a few habit, paying for habit is approximately "convenience-searching for." what's lacking on your existence suited now this is turning out to be a void on your gut? Addictive behaviors are in many circumstances approximately attempting to fill that vacant place, and that they in no way prevail. So the addictive habit maintains, via fact there is ordinarily a short "rush" linked with the habit that feels stable for in basic terms a short time. Then the void is decrease back. My guess is which you're looking exterior your self for something to make you sense extra entire, extra fulfilled. carry out a little journaling and attempt to locate what the empty spot is interior you. handle it promptly particularly of attempting to fill it with different issues that furnish fleeting convenience. If needed bypass to assist communities (which comprise Spenders nameless) or to a counselor who makes a speciality of addictive behaviors.

Answer 10

You need to teach your self that you do not need all these things, and learn to clear your mind of shopping all the time. I to had to had this problem, and I am a man, when you have money it is easy to want to go and spend it. So remember to save it in stead. You will be happier.

Answer 11

Everyday you need to get something, plan how much time you need, then right when the time is up..... have like a movie or going to someone's house planed. so you won't go spend like crazy in the store you are in.

Answer 12

buy consigment for her clothes



send someone to go get your stuff if you cant control yourslf

Answer 13

dunno lol