Here are simple strategies to help you deal with six various shopping pitfalls: the shopping channel addict, the drugstore junkie, the big-box store hoarder, the Target cart filler, the online over spender; or a Martha Stewart wannabe? Does one of these people sound like you? If so, check out these common sense approaches in this… Continue reading Six Shopping Addictions and How to Curb Them
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.
The Parable of the Lorelei
A mermaid, beautiful and alluring, sings from the top of a rocky point in the most dangerous section of the Rhine River. Like the sirens of the Homer’s Odyssey, she causes sailors to jump overboard and captains to forget about the deadly dangers surrounding them. Is this German legend about a seductive mermaid a parable… Continue reading The Parable of the Lorelei
How to Save Money on a Tight Budget
The Money Coach has some practical advice for saving money in the current economic climate. Save on everything from housing costs to car costs to daily coffee expenses. For example: Using generic drugs might save you $840 in a year. Stop smoking and save thousands. Save money on utility bills by unplugging unused electrical appliances,… Continue reading How to Save Money on a Tight Budget
Couple Divorces Over Wife’s Shopping Addiction
In a case demonstrating the world-wide nature of shopping addiction the Taipei Times reports that a couple has divorced over a “wife’s seemingly random but pervasive purchasing habits.” After 26 years of marriage the Taichung branch of the High Court declared their marriage defunct. The wife started buying bulk quantities of toiletries and tossing them… Continue reading Couple Divorces Over Wife’s Shopping Addiction
I’m In Credit Card Debt From Our Shopping Addiction…And It’s My Friend’s Fault
A nomination in the “birds of a feather” category goes to Christina Anderson and her fashion addicted friend who spurred each other on in their extreme shopping behavior. “Every time I would click ‘purchase’ I got a sick feeling in my stomach and my American Express bill just continued to add up,” said Ms. Anderson.… Continue reading I’m In Credit Card Debt From Our Shopping Addiction…And It’s My Friend’s Fault
Simple Financial Lessons – Breaking Bad Style
From Shopping to Saving blogger Erika draws some financial lessons from the intriguing and troubling AMC TV series Breaking Bad. First, account for all of your expenses; be prepared. Remember that money isn’t everything, and isn’t always the most important thing. Be ready for emergencies and be prepared by having health insurance coverage. You pay… Continue reading Simple Financial Lessons – Breaking Bad Style
3 Doorways: Which One Needs Your Attention Today?
Our relationship with money is complicated. Financial Therapist Bari Tessler Linden talks about her 3 Doorway Method to help think about money. Doorway #1 is Financial Therapy, or “Money Healing.” Paying attention to our financial history, family dynamics and patterns with money can lead to healing and growth. Doorway #2 is Values Based Bookkeeping or… Continue reading 3 Doorways: Which One Needs Your Attention Today?
33 Ways to Cull Your Closet
Jill Chivers reflects on the criteria we use to decide what stays and what goes from our wardrobes. A standard rule of thumb is, if you haven’t worn an item in 2 years it goes, but that doesn’t work for everyone. She set a goal of finding 10 ways to assess one’s wardrobe, and was… Continue reading 33 Ways to Cull Your Closet
When Everything is Taken Away, We See Who We Truly Are
Becoming Minimalist blogger Joshua Becker shares the story of Gracia and Martin Burnham, who were kidnapped and taken hostage by terrorists in 2001. The couple spent a year in the jungle, and her husband was killed during the rescue attempt. She talked with Becker about her experience and what became important when they had no… Continue reading When Everything is Taken Away, We See Who We Truly Are
Focus on the Latte Factor? Or Sweat the Big Stuff?
A perennial question in the world of personal finances. While it’s true that cutting back on some of life’s simple pleasures can add up to decent savings, maybe applying the same effort to larger items would have more impact. Some of the “Big Stuff” you might consider: Raising deductibles on insurance premiums, refinancing your mortgage… Continue reading Focus on the Latte Factor? Or Sweat the Big Stuff?