Curing the Shopaholic in You

Are you a shopaholic?  Some people say they are but they are actually aren’t while there are those who answers with a stern “no” but is actually suffering from this problem secretly. You’ll know you’re a shopaholic if you do and behave like the following:

• You go shopping every time you don’t feel well;
• Compelled to buy something even though they are strapped out of funds;
• Usually does the transaction in credit cards because no more cash is available; After shopping, you feel guilty about the things that you buy – and the thing just bought would just collect dust in the corner;
• Shopping gives you a mixed feeling of anxiety and joy – just because you are there for the thrill of it.

If you are doing two or more of these, you might be a shopaholic. Before it gets worst, seek help in curbing your tendencies and eventually curing them. Being a shopaholic, you will just use your credit card for everything even with the knowledge that your job won’t be able to pay those debts in time. You eventually end up juggling your expenses but what ever you do you still end up with nothing while owing every credit card you deal with thousands of dollars in debt.

Getting help is not very easy but possible. The best persons who can help you get rid of your tendencies are former shopaholics. At first glance being a shopaholic is a cool thing for girls especially those who love shopping. But that is only possible for girls who are daughters of millionaires. That is why people might not understand those who are suffering from being shopaholic since media has shown them as “cool”. Those that have suffered from being a shopaholic could say a totally different thing. They understand what you are trying to avoid – getting bankrupt all because of your love of shopping.

There are those who are having a hard time looking for help in their community. If you are one of those but would like to get out of your shopaholic ways, here are some tips that could help you in spending your money wisely:

Use cash in your transactions – Cash will never hurt your credit rating and they can’t just be spent in advance. You have to earn it first before you can spend it. It’s a little bit challenging at first since you are forced to deal with a small amount of cash. But that is actually a good thing. You re-evaluate your priorities and purchase only what you need.

Minimize usage of credit card and checks – If you ask me, I would even recommend cutting them off altogether. The interest rates of credit cards today are exorbitant that it doesn’t really cover the convenience you’ll experience with the credit cards. Checks on the other hands might not have the same rates but still, they provide the temptation for you to spend without thinking of the consequences.

Monitor your spending – write EVERYTHING that you spend – no exceptions. Writing your expenses will give you the scare on how much you are spending every month. You will have an idea how much in excess you have to spend on your personal preferences.

Avoid Your Shopping Areas – The only way to avoid shopping altogether is not to go to places where you usually shop. If you’re not there, there is zero possibility that you will be spending your money.

These tips are very basic but probably the hardest for shopaholics. But if they slowly address this problem, they will one day find themselves breathing easier because they have freed themselves from financial burden.