Thanks to google alerts, I stumbled upon 12-Year Old Shopaholic and Other Big Spending Kids, an eye-opening and shudder-worthy British documentary, that aired this past June. Glorifying over-the-top spending, this 3-part series profiles four kids, ages 9 to 15 and their well-meaning, but confused and overindulgent parents whose own unresolved issues result in massive overspending, their financial… Continue reading Are You Raising a Shopaholic? The Story of Four Kids Glorified for Overshopping
Category: Money Psychology
Male Shopaholics – The Truth
By: Georgia Watson As you sign for the fifth package of the week, the courier smiles at you. “Shopping again, love?” You nod dutifully, not wanting to admit that the box belongs to your husband…they all do. We all joke about being shopaholics, especially after a splurge in the Zara sale, but how do you… Continue reading Male Shopaholics – The Truth
What Aging Has to Tell Us About Fashion
While we traditionally make relatively short-term New Year’s resolutions, it’s also when many of our thoughts turn to aging, that unavoidable measure of the passage of time. Along with the inevitable decline of some of our faculties, there’s often – at least for septuagenarians and even older seniors – an increased clarity about whom we… Continue reading What Aging Has to Tell Us About Fashion
Merry Shopping and a Happy New Car?
I’ve heard holiday come-ons before, but these take the cake. Last week, a friend told me that a few years ago, in the midst of the holiday season, she received a circular in the mail with the words “Merry Shopping, and a Happy New Car” bolded, italicized, in big red and green block letters, splayed… Continue reading Merry Shopping and a Happy New Car?
Survey says: High Percentage of Americans at Risk for Shopaholism
This month, CreditDonkey surveyed over 1,000 Americans about their shopping habits and payment preferences. The results suggest that a significant percentage of consumers display many of the shopaholism indicators. The biggest red flag is feeling a rush of excitement after making a purchase, which nearly half of all responders felt! Another is feeling guilt after… Continue reading Survey says: High Percentage of Americans at Risk for Shopaholism
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
I Love You… Again!
For many people – especially women – a driving force behind overshopping can be the need for a wide variety of new and different products and stimulation. When you think about it, shopping can be a very stimulating activity and might be a key point for people who shop to avoid boredom. But it is… Continue reading I Love You… Again!