When it comes to moving through a shopping addiction, and even bad shopping behavior, it can be a long process that involves alternating between “good” and “bad” behavior. You may be doing really well for some time, staying within budgets and sticking to your goals. And then (maybe slowly at first) you find yourself backsliding… Continue reading Break the Backsliding Habits
Author: Carrie Rattle
Carrie Rattle is a Principal at BehavioralCents.com, a website for women focused on mind and money behaviors. She has worked in the financial services industry for 20+ years and hopes to inspire women to better prepare themselves for financial independence.
Retail Therapy is a Ruse
There is an interesting phenomenon going on in our American culture these days, centered around shopping. This is the idea of “retail therapy,” a popular notion that when you’re feeling blue, shopping is a great pick-me-up. In fact, the term oversimplifies and minimizes the serious problem of a shopping addiction. Additionally, it suggests that shopping actually… Continue reading Retail Therapy is a Ruse
Shopping Addiction Statistics
Shopping addictions can be different from other addictions, in that the line between normal behavior and addictive behavior may not only be a fine one, but hard to spot. Additionally, the signs of addiction can even exist to a certain extent before a full on addiction develops. For example, a recent survey finds that over 30… Continue reading Shopping Addiction Statistics
Curb Compulsive Spending Habits
Compulsive spending comes from deeper psychological issues combined with a lack of good money management. Even the most materialistic people can avoid racking up the credit card debt with good money management. Shopaholics use spending as a way to soothe their anxieties and problems instead of facing them directly. Credit cards make such retail therapy… Continue reading Curb Compulsive Spending Habits
Why Do Materialists Worry About Their Finances?
How tightly someone manages their money is not always an accurate meter for how wisely they spend it, especially in the case of materialists and compulsive spenders. These types of people generally emphasize the importance of money and being financially successful. On the flip side, they are also more likely to be unsatisfied with their… Continue reading Why Do Materialists Worry About Their Finances?
The Cost of Buying to Cope
It’s no surprise – life can be tough. Whether in work, relationships, or other areas of life when we are thrown a curveball, it is natural to want to find a way to cope. For some people, this means retail therapy. Unfortunately, shopping away your problems comes at a cost that is greater than what… Continue reading The Cost of Buying to Cope
Why Do Shopping Addicts Keep Spending Their Money?
According to their self-report, about 10% of all adults in western countries report themselves as displaying compulsive buying symptoms. How to explain the proliferation of this behavior; why does 10% of the western world continue to overshop in the face of debt, seriously compromised relationships, guilt, shame, anxiety and deteriorating self-worth? Ryan Howell, Associate Professor… Continue reading Why Do Shopping Addicts Keep Spending Their Money?
Lying About Your Shopping Habits to the People You Love
When your spending is out of control, it can wear you down emotionally and put a strain on your relationships. Even if it doesn’t come directly from your debt, it could be out of shame for your actions, causing you to hide your secret addiction from the people you love. If you’re embarrassed about your… Continue reading Lying About Your Shopping Habits to the People You Love
The Power of Fear
Fear is a deep human emotion that affects everyone in many different ways. For those struggling with a shopping addiction and compulsive shopping habits, fear manifests more uniquely. There is a fear that even a brief pause from shopping means missing out on a great deal or a hot new fashion or trend. There is… Continue reading The Power of Fear
New Mobile Apps Can Fuel a Shopping Addiction
With the rise of smartphones and mobile web technology, it is easier than ever to stay connected with the world. Not surprisingly, the reverse is also true – it is easier for the world to connect with you, too. For those struggling with a shopping addiction, this means one more medium for making purchases. Retailers… Continue reading New Mobile Apps Can Fuel a Shopping Addiction