Comments on: Five Ways To Break A Shopping Addiction – And Five Ways To Help Someone Else With Their Addiction http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/ Financial talk for the rest of us Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:14:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Mel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-78573 Mel Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:39:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-78573 I am the last person to give someone a pass on personal responsibility but seriously, some of us (myself, Trent, etc.) were taught when we were little that buying stuff would make us happy. It takes some people longer to learn than others that having stuff doesn’t make you any happier, just poorer. If buying stuff made you happy there wouldn’t be so many miserable celebrities now would there? The difference between them and us is that we are usually forced to confront our warped viewpoint a lot sooner and adjust our ways than they are because we aren’t as financially enabled.

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-78487 Cheryl Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:50:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-78487 Another sign of being addicted to shopping is when the “stuff” you buy is sitting around in boxes or the clothes still have the tags on them. They are being bought to fill up an emotional “hole” which has an open bottom. The stuff makes you feel good for that day, and then tomorrow you feel empty again. I have a sister who does this.

]]> By: Jenyfer http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-78404 Jenyfer Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:56:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-78404 Also remember resale shops for barely worn purchases–I do this, and when I sell something I paid $50 for and only come away with $8–it reinforces how much money I wasted for that momentary glow.

]]> By: Beth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-77774 Beth Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:24:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-77774 Also another thing that is suggested on the show “Big Spender” is to never shop without a chaperone.
If you always have to take someone with you on any shopping type trip, you will have to account for any purchases. Also, it does help open conversations about money and how you spend it.

]]> By: Killer Bees http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-36849 Killer Bees Wed, 20 Jun 2007 05:06:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-36849 Any addiction is a sign of emotional emptiness. Why else would a person do nasty things to themselves to make themselves feel better?

You can’t beat an addiction until you address the underlying emotional reason.

If you respect and love yourself you won’t over eat or buy stuff you don’t need.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-24425 Jessica Thu, 10 May 2007 14:45:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-24425 Although it might not be the case with your wife’s friend, but inviting a person over for dinner and taking them places with you can turn a budget-challenged person into a mooch. If they’re starving and at the food bank, by all means, help feed them. It would be better to show a friend how to make meals and shop frugally for groceries.

Also, if your friend doesn’t want to change or want your help then don’t push it. Watch out for the friend who thinks “you’re no fun” because you are on a budget. They’re not going to be supportive of your goals, and tempt you to overspend. Much like that “friend” who brings you sweets when you’re on a diet.

]]> By: John Jackson http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-24290 John Jackson Thu, 10 May 2007 02:05:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-24290 You should shop if you want. You only live once.

]]> By: HoldenMcgroin http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-24043 HoldenMcgroin Wed, 09 May 2007 04:46:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-24043 The biggest thing about this is that she has to WANT to change. I have a friend who formerly was a stay at home mom who didn’t really need the money should would have made from a job (or so she claims). She started working 3 years ago and I guess gave herself free reign to spend as much money as she wants because she was then working. She now has a huge amount of credit card debt, and she’s constantly having trouble making the payments. I always try to talk her into giving up her credit cards so she can pay them off, but she just charges them up as soon as she makes the minimum payment. She also eats out at least 8 times a week. Sometimes it is fast food, so it’s only like 7 bucks, but usually it is a restaurant where she’s going to be paying a minimum of 10 bucks per meal, usually more than that. I also tried to talk her into bringing her lunch and eating more frugally but she says that since she works she feels like she deserves to eat out whenever she wants. She’s also really obese and I think the eating out less would help with that, but she won’t listen to my suggestions and I can’t really come out and say “hey, you’re a friggin’ disgusting glutton, get a hold of yourself!”

]]> By: KMK http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-24004 KMK Wed, 09 May 2007 02:06:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-24004 Here’s another one: A “naked lady” party. Get a bunch of friends to all go through their closets at the same time. Then everyone brings all the clothes/shoes/etc you no longer want or fit into to someone’s house, and you all swap. It’s hard to envision until you do it, but it is great fun, and I always leave feeling like I’ve just been shopping.

]]> By: Rob in Madrid http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23943 Rob in Madrid Tue, 08 May 2007 21:23:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23943 That’s been a problem for my wife and I we both love shopping and spending money! Spending sometime here has really made me think about how I view money and spending (thank you Trent) I’ve starting saying to my wife that if she wants to escape the corporate grind and she can but it will mean trade offs, so over the last bit of holidays we’ve been talking about what changes we’d have to make. So Trent I guess I be spending alot more time here figuring what changes we need to make.

keep up the good work

]]> By: PurplePig http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23926 PurplePig Tue, 08 May 2007 20:18:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23926 For those who have a shopping problem that they can’t deal with, there is also a 12 step program. I think it is called Shopaholics Anonymous?

]]> By: Kat http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23923 Kat Tue, 08 May 2007 20:15:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23923 My addiction is the local used book store. They carry books, CDs, DVDs, and a variety of other addictive media. A few years ago, I found out that they have a hold program. You can shop, then ask them to place your items on hold for you. The items are stored behind the cashier’s counter and you have up to 7 days to claim them. I’ve been using the hold shelf to give myself a minimum of 48 hours to reconsider any impulse buy. I’ll usually come away with one item from my original haul, but the majority of the impulse grabs stay in the store.
I’m not sure how many stores offer a service like this, but it’s a lifesaver if it’s available!

]]> By: Dan Veasey http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23900 Dan Veasey Tue, 08 May 2007 18:38:10 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23900 On the first tip I would add, don’t bring any ID with you either. That way you can’t open a new account at the store.

Changing the routine, replacing old habits with new ones, and personal accountability are key to beating any addiction.

Great advice!

]]> By: broknowrchlatr http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23886 broknowrchlatr Tue, 08 May 2007 16:51:29 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23886 This is a pretty good list. One addition I have is this:

If something is more than $25, you can’t buy it right away. If you decide 2 days later that you still want it, you can go out and get it, but only on the next trip where you are doing somehting else. This ends up meaning that it is 4-10 days before you can get something. If you really want it that long, then it is mroe worthwhile.

A couple years ago, I talked my wife in to doing this and I do it too. It works great.

I learned it as a child when I had to save up for months for any purchase. I saved up for a RC car for 9 months and I loved it for years.

]]> By: boomie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23885 boomie Tue, 08 May 2007 16:49:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/08/five-ways-to-break-a-shopping-addiction-and-five-ways-to-help-someone-else-with-their-addiction/#comment-23885 Over shopping is a disease. There are psychological reasons why we (yes me) do it. For me, it’s a constant daily struggle. Some of the points you mention are good but until you uncover the ‘real’ reason why you self-destruct (through over spending) it will be a losing battle.

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