It's time to cut down on your shopping addictions.
Shopping addiction, also known as shopaholism, can have a negative effect on your life.It can be hard to tell when you've crossed the line because shopping is so ingrained in global capitalist culture.You can learn to spot signs of shopping addiction, change your buying habits, and seek professional help if needed.
Step 1: The problem needs to be recognized.
As with most addictions, recognizing your behavior and coming to see it as an impediment on your daily life and relationships is half the battle.You can use this list of symptoms to gauge the severity of your shopping addiction.Whether you can be trusted to simply moderate your shopping or if it is a better idea to stop shopping altogether, this is an important way to decide how much you need to cut down.Shopping or spending money when you feel sad, lonely, or anxious can be rationalized by arguments with others.
Step 2: Take a good look at your buying habits.
Make note of how you pay for your purchases by keeping a record of what you buy for two weeks to a month.Get a better understanding of when and how you buy by asking yourself the following questions.Tracking the amount of money you spend will help you see how severe your shopping habit really is.
Step 3: identify your brand of shopaholism
Compulsive shopping can take many forms.You can better understand how to help yourself if you know the forms.You can use your record of buying habits to see where you fit on this list.Shoppers who are triggered to shop upon emotional distress, Trophy shopaholics, who enjoy flashy items and love feeling like a big spender, and Bargain seekers who buy things only because they are on sale.
Step 4: The effects of shopping addiction last a long time.
Many of the long-term effects of shopping addiction are negative.It's a good way to understand the effects of an excessive shopping habit.Spending over budget and deep financial trouble is Compulsive.Secrecy, lying about debt, and physical isolation are all related to the preoccupation with shopping.
Step 5: Emotions can be caused by over-spending.
Shopping is a way to escape negative emotions.Like most addictions that provide a quick fix to problems with deep psychological roots, shopping can help you feel complete and capable of maintaining a false image of happiness and security.Push yourself to think about if shopping is an attempt to fill a void in your life that could be solved by healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.
Step 6: You can learn your Triggers.
Anything that makes you want to shop is atrigger.For at least a week, keep a journal with you, and whenever you feel the urge to shop, write it down.It could be an environment, friend, advertisement, or feeling.You can avoid things that make you want to shop if you know your triggers.Whenever you have a formal event, you might go into a buying frenzy.You might be tempted to buy all sorts of wardrobe changes, designer makeup, or other products that will increase your confidence and make you feel ready for the event.You could make a plan for handling invitations to big events.You might cut out event-related shopping altogether and just look through your closet for something you already own.
Step 7: Cut down on your shopping.
The best way to limit your shopping is to be aware of how much your budget allows you to spend over and above basic essentials.Take yourself shopping only when your budget allows it, and keep a close eye on your finances.It's a good idea to keep shopping occasionally, but avoid some of the larger financial issues that can come with the habit.You can get away with spending if you carry a lot of money with you.If you go over your limit, leave your credit cards at home.You can make a list of the things you own and the extras you want.When you're about to purchase something you already have a lot of or something that you don't want as badly as other items, it's a good idea to look at your list.Wait at least 20 minutes.Don't be sure that you need to buy something; instead, think about why you should or should not do it.If you know there are certain stores where you tend to spend too much, only go to them on special occasions or with friends who can help monitor your purchases.If this is a website, make sure you don't add it to your bookmarks.
Step 8: "Cold turkey" with discretionary spending
Limit yourself to the essentials if your shopping addiction is serious.Make a shopping list that you stick to, and be very careful when shopping.If you do visit a discount warehouse, allocate only a certain amount of cash to spend and avoid the temptation of sales and inexpensive items.The more specific your rules are, the better.If you decide to only shop for groceries, make a complete list of self-care necessities.Do not buy anything other than what you have written down.Cancel all credit cards if you want to change your payment methods.Ask a loved one to guard it for you if you feel you should only have one for emergencies.Since people tend to spend more with a card than with cash, this is important.Before you leave the house, do your market research.Getting carried away while browsing can lead to unneeded purchases, so know which brands and types of items you need to buy.The need to browse will be cut off by this.If you don't use your loyalty cards for the bare necessities, give them up.
Step 9: Do not shop alone.
If you are with others, you're more likely to not spend a lot of money.Peer pressure can help you learn from the moderate buying habits of people you trust.Someone you trust in charge of your finances may be necessary.
Step 10: Get involved in more than one activity.
There are more meaningful ways to spend time.If you want to change your behavior, you need to replace it with another way of spending your time that is satisfying and sustainable.Some activities make people feel so immersed that they lose track of time completely.You can learn a new skill, finish a project, or improve yourself by doing something else.If you're fully engaged, reading, jogging, cooking, or playing a musical instrument doesn't matter.While exercising and taking walks can provide a constant source of happiness, these activities are especially useful alternatives to pursue while in the throes of a shopping urge.
Step 11: Follow your progress.
Don't forget to give yourself a lot of encouragement as you change your shopping habits.It's important to give yourself credit for your progress, as kicking an addiction is very difficult.An objective look at how far you've come will stop you from beating yourself up over moments of struggle.You can use a spreadsheet to monitor the amount of money you spend.You can see the amount of trips you make to the store by marking them on your calendar.
Step 12: To avoid environments make a list.
"no-fly zones" are places that you know will prompt you to shop.These are likely places like malls or large open shopping areas.Don't be able to convince yourself that you can go and just browse a little bit if your rules are clear and precise.Don't buy anything at these places until the urge to buy is gone.If you're in the sensitive moments of "detox" from your shopping addiction, you need to make sure that you avoid the right places and situations.If you are only trying to cut down and not quit shopping altogether, you may simply want to limit your presence due to the omnipresence of advertisements and buying opportunities.If you create a schedule of when you can visit your favorite stores, you will be able to stick to it.
Step 13: Stay in the area.
Take a break from traveling when you are cutting back.The temptation to buy can be brought on by new places.People buy more when they shop outside of their communities.Another temptation to resist is that "remote buying" from shopping channels and online sources can bring the same feel of a new environment.
Step 14: Send and receive mail.
Make sure your email and snail mail are covered.Don't get promotional emails and catalogues from your favorite stores.Signing up for Opt-out Prescreen will prevent you from getting offers for new credit cards.You won't be targeted for advertising of this nature if you provide your information here.
Step 15: Set controls for your family.
The internet is one of the most popular ways to shop now, so remember that your computer environment needs to be just as sober as your world offline.Blocks can be set on your favorite online shopping sites.You can prevent personalized ads from appearing in your browser with a good ad blocker program.One-click shopping can be dangerous.It's even more difficult to buy online if you have your credit card number linked to your account.If you are also blocking those sites, this will create an added security; if you have found a way to rationalize being on the site, you will still have enough time to rethink your decision to make individual purchases.
Step 16: The support of friends and family is important.
Secrecy is one of the main components of shopping addiction.Don't be afraid to speak out about your shopping problems.In the early stages of cutting down when temptation is still very high, you may ask your friends and family for help going shopping or buying necessities.If you want to cut down on shopping, you must only allow trusted loved ones to support you.
Step 17: A therapist is available.
A therapist can help you understand the root causes of shopping addiction, such as depression.You might be prescribed antidepressants if you have shopping addiction.Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method used to treat addictions.This type of therapy will help you challenge your shopping thoughts.Therapy can help you place less value on things like a desire to look successful and wealthy, and more on factors like feeling comfortable in your skin and maintaining relationships with loved ones.
Step 18: Find a meeting that you want to attend.
Group therapy for shopping addiction is very useful.If you are able to share your feelings with other people who have the same issues, you can sometimes prevent a return to your old spending habits.There are local chapters of Spenders Anonymous.You can manage your shopping addiction with these 12-step programs.Use this link to find a meeting.
Step 19: There is a credit counselor.
If your shopping addiction has gotten you into serious financial trouble that you are unable to manage on your own, you may want to see a credit counselor.A credit counselor can help you deal with the debt that comes from shopping addiction.Dealing with the financial repercussions of shopping addiction can be difficult, as well as the emotional issues that arise with overcoming your habit.A credit counselor is an important resource because of stress.