| American spending is out of control! American | | | | -Do I regularly use one credit card to pay |
| consumers are more than $600 billion in | | | | off another? |
| credit card debt alone. We are a society that | | | | |
| wants everything now, with no thought to how | | | | -Do I live in constant chaos and worry about |
| it we'll pay for it later. Many experts worry | | | | money? |
| that the ease in which Americans can obtain | | | | |
| high levels of credit is turning into | | | | If you answered yes to any of the questions |
| shopping addicts. | | | | above, it may be time to seek both financial |
| | | | and emotional counseling. Therapy can help |
| Spending money (even if we don't have it), is | | | | you sort out the feelings behind your need to |
| mesmerizing. Whipping out the gold or | | | | buy love and admiration, while credit |
| platinum card makes us feel important and | | | | counseling can help you sort out your |
| powerful. When in reality overspending can | | | | financial mess and get back on track. |
| cause you to lose your sense of balance, well | | | | |
| being and rationalization. | | | | How can you get started on the road to |
| | | | financial freedom? Start here: |
| So, how do you know if you've crossed the | | | | |
| line from over-indulging to compulsive | | | | Acknowledging that you are addicted to |
| shopping? When shopping is the only thing | | | | shopping. Denial is a strong incentive to |
| that makes you feel good, it may be time to | | | | keep shopping. Take a good look at your |
| go cold turkey. It's one thing to buy a new | | | | bills. Are they reasonable? Make a list of |
| pair of shoes once in awhile when you're | | | | everything you owe - no matter how big or |
| feeling down, and another when you have to | | | | small the amount. Now, look around your |
| hit the mall for a hit in order to get | | | | house. Are you really living the lifestyle of |
| through the day. When every new purchase | | | | someone with so much debt? Most of us are |
| brings you a sudden rush of excitement and | | | | surprised at how little substance accumulated |
| pleasure, making it necessary to indulge in | | | | along with this huge debt. |
| just one more item you don't need, your body | | | | |
| has turned the rush of serotonin from your | | | | Find a credit counselor. Learn to spend more |
| brain's neurotransmitters into an addictive | | | | sensibly. Create a budget and stick t it. |
| chemical response to shopping. | | | | |
| | | | Pay smaller bills first. This will give you |
| In short: when shopping gets you "high," it's | | | | some level of success, and the strength to |
| time to stop. To see if your shopping sprees | | | | keep going. |
| may be more than just a day out, Debtor's | | | | |
| Anonymous suggests asking yourself these key | | | | Find new ways to feel good. Exercise is known |
| questions: | | | | to release the same levels of feel good |
| | | | chemicals into your body as shopping. Get |
| -Do I shop to make myself feel better, | | | | high on exercise instead. |
| happier, or more liked by those around me? | | | | |
| | | | Get support. Talk with friends, family, or a |
| -Do I often hide my purchases from my friends | | | | good counselor. Join an over-spender's |
| and family? | | | | support group if necessary, just be sure to |
| | | | surround yourself with people who can |
| -Do I worry how I'll pay for my purchases, | | | | understand your addiction, and support your |
| but buy them anyway? | | | | recovery. |
| | | | |
| -Do I consistently spend more than I make? | | | | Learn to be content. Do you like your car? |
| | | | Then, why buy a new one? Stop trying to |
| -Do I feel shame or guilt after a purchase? | | | | impress those around you with things. Learn |
| | | | to be happy with what you already have. |
| -Am I using bill money to buy senseless | | | | |
| items? | | | | Control your spending, find new ways to make |
| | | | yourself content and happy, and someday you |
| -Do I panic at the thought of living without | | | | may open the mailbox to discover all of your |
| my credit cards? | | | | outstanding debt has been aid in full. |
| | | | |