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Recognizing Signs of Compulsive Shopping

by on November 27, 2007

Christmas is less than a month away, which means you’re probably pretty close to reaching “frantic mode” when it comes to your holiday shopping. I’ve already discussed the importance of creating a holiday budget and sticking to it, but people with compulsive shopping tendencies might not be able to follow this simple advice. Compulsive shoppers find it difficult, if not impossible, to pass up the opportunity to buy something, anything. According to experts, anywhere from 2-8% of the American public suffers from issues related to compulsive shopping.

Some people just go a bit overboard when it comes to holiday shopping. Nonetheless, recognizing the signs that indicate compulsive shopping behavior is pretty important when it comes to financial well-being.

One sign that you may have a shopping compulsion is if you have a tendency to spend money when you feel angry, disappointed, or sad. If you find yourself having arguments with someone over your shopping habits, you might want to take a closer look at your shopping activity.

Some people with a shopping compulsion engage in excessive shopping because they are addicted to the way it makes them feel. So if you feel a sense of euphoria or a “rush” after you shop, that’s a tell-tale indicator of a potential problem. The same is true if you find yourself lying to others about the purchases you’ve made or about the amount that you’re actually spending on your purchases. If you’re buried in debt from your shopping sprees and you find yourself spending a great deal of time trying to juggle your accounts or your bills in an effort to accommodate your spending habits, you might want to speak with someone about your situation.

Seeking out the advice of a professional about the consequences of your shopping and spending habits would be an important first step in dealing with the issue head on.

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