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