Are You a Compulsive Spender?
Take this short quiz to see if you are a compulsive spender:
1) Do you shop, (in stores or on the net) to escape feeling stressed**, bored, lonely, empty, defeated, angry or scared?
2) After a setback or disappointment, does it feel like spending money will help you feel better? (It does, temporarily.)
3) Does your shopping or spending create conflicts for you, or between you and others?
4) When you shop or buy something, does your mood change?
5) Are you unable to enjoy your purchases because you feel guilty or bad?
If you answered YES to any of these you may be using money or shopping as a way to regulate your feelings or self-esteem.
First of all, good for you for taking time to get honest. Have you tried any of these to change your behavior? Promised to never overspend again to a spouse or yourself? Cut up your credit cards? One woman froze hers. That’s a pretty good in-between strategy and works similarly to not keeping sweets in the house when dieting. This slows down or creates a pause for that impulsive feeling of "gotta have it" and I mean right now!
But creating superficial limitations are bandaids on spending problems. The real solution comes from dealing with the feelings that are driving the behavior and by being willing to explore your relationship with money.