Shopping addiction is not recognized as a mental disorder but I know it can be a real addiction.
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The feeling of possessing something just because you can, or the overbearing need to buy that one thing that you know is going to make you feel better can be powerful and all-consuming.
It is worth noting that occasional shopping sprees are ok. So if you do it occasionally you can breathe easy.
If you do have a shopping addiction or are just out of money, here are four ways to control your shopping habits:
Identifying the reason for shopping is important, it makes the process less impulsive and more logical. This may help you figure out triggers you, and how to manage it.
Similarly asking yourself if you really need something, and will make you more mindful of your purchases. You don’t need 10 pairs of shoes.
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This is a powerful tool. It helps with all kinds of addictions.
A lot of shopaholics are impulsive. It’s not our fault, the advertising companies are just too damn good at their jobs!
They use our short attention span to pull us away from whatever YouTube video we’re watching, get on to the Nike website and buy those sexay ass shoes.
But we have to take back control. Use that eight-second attention span and delay the thought. Chances are that thought is going to go away. Every time you win and fight off that thought, easier it is going to become to take control.
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If you want to possess something or get the feeling of ownership, instead of buying things that you won’t use, by a book and read it. It’ll make you wiser, hopefully, and you’ll actually use it.
If you’re doing it because you feel like shit, talk about it with a friend or go for a run or do a workout. It’ll feel a lot better, and you won’t go broke!
If you do it because you want to impress people and show off about it, there are other ways to show people that you’re an idiot. Try ranting online.
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Make a note of everything you spend on in the month or week. Don’t leave anything out. Note the change that you didn’t take back, the grey shoelaces and the stationary you bought that you’re never going to use.
At the end of the month or week, go through you list of expenses and ask yourself:
- why you bought that;
- whether you needed it;
- if you could have delayed the decision; and
- could you have saved some money by replacing that purchase?
Once you’ve done that, try to reduce your expenditure the next month or week.
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Lastly, I’m not a doctor/ psychologist. These are points that helped me in my opinion.
Happy Savings!
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