In a provocative titled, research-grounded, and thoroughly persuasive article in the Journal of Consumer Psychology—21 (2011) 115-125—Elizabeth W. Dunn, Daniel T. Gilbert, and Timothy D. Wilson argue that “If money doesn’t make you happy, then you probably aren’t spending it right.” In the article, they acknowledge that traditional research shows only a modest correlation between… Continue reading “If Money Doesn’t Make You Happy, Then You Probably Aren’t Spending It Right”: Part 1
Category: Control Shopping
10 Signs You Shop Too Much
If you are concerned that your shopping may be out of control, check yourself against this list. You lie about your purchases or hide items. You don’t talk openly about your shopping habits. Your relationships are damaged by your shopping. You shop by yourself instead of with a friend who might challenge you on a… Continue reading 10 Signs You Shop Too Much
Becoming Minimalist: Ashley’s Story
Ashley loves the “American Dream”: life with health, a home, family, and the pursuit of happiness. She feels, however, that the dream has developed into a Jekyll and Hyde situation. People seem more interested in the pursuit of wealth than anything else and happiness doesn’t necessarily follow. She feels a need for balance and a… Continue reading Becoming Minimalist: Ashley’s Story
If Your Loved One is a Compulsive Buyer
Whether, When, and How to Intervene Is your loved one a compulsive buyer? 1. How strongly would your loved one agree with these statements? My closet has a number of unopened shopping bags in it. Others might consider me a shopaholic. Much of my life revolves around buying things. I consider myself an impulse… Continue reading If Your Loved One is a Compulsive Buyer
Stop Shopping!
Can’t stop shopping insanity? Try shopping your own closet! Every minute of every day, inside and outside of every closet, there’s a woman who thinks she’s got nothing to wear. Can you relate? Every day, closet doors open on rooms full of nostalgia and dream sizes, garments we convince ourselves we’ll one day wear again.… Continue reading Stop Shopping!
Eat, Shop, and Be Merry?
Early on in my study of consumer behavior, I attended a national conference on eating disorders. Catherine Steiner-Adair, one of the keynote speakers, asked the audience what we thought were the two major activities traditionally pursued by women to deal with life’s ups and downs. The silence was palpable. She then answered her own question:… Continue reading Eat, Shop, and Be Merry?
4 Session Interactive Telecourse for Therapists
To Buy or Not to Buy: Theory and Treatment of Compulsive Buying Disorder An interactive 4-session telecourse for mental health professionals taught by April Lane Benson, Ph.D. Editor – I Shop, Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self (Aronson, 2000) Author – To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and… Continue reading 4 Session Interactive Telecourse for Therapists
Weighing-In (Part 4)
We’ve now looked in some detail at the Daily and Weekly Weigh-Ins, a keeping of numbers that will tell you how much you’ve spent, what you’ve spent it on, and how much you could have saved had you bought only what’s more necessary rather than less. In order for these numbers to begin revealing the… Continue reading Weighing-In (Part 4)
Health Care Reform for Overshoppers (Part III): Self-Respect-The Third Leg of the Self Supporting Stool
In recent postings, we’ve explored two important legs of a three-legged stool that supports stopping overshopping, self-kindness and self-care. Today we look at the crucial third leg, self-respect. Taken with the other two, it offers a solid base from which the thoughtful overshopper can reach for change. Self-respect is having the proud feeling that you… Continue reading Health Care Reform for Overshoppers (Part III): Self-Respect-The Third Leg of the Self Supporting Stool
Continued Media Focus on Compulsive Shopping
Compulsive shopping is pretty much out of the closet now, with continuing treatment in television, film, and print. Here are four recent examples of note: “The Bank of Mom and Dad,” a BBC show that begins airing on SOAPnet September 30th, is “reality programming as a financial-makeover show.” In each episode, a young woman in… Continue reading Continued Media Focus on Compulsive Shopping