How to Stop Compulsive Shopping

Compulsive shopping, also known as spending addiction, is an addiction like gambling or drug or alcohol addiction. The person who is a compulsive shopper uses shopping to soothe herself rather than deal with challenges head on. Compulsive shopping ultimately leads to worse problems than the ones from which the person is seeking relief. Worse, the compulsive shopper's behavior puts her family's welfare in grave jeopardy.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Recognize compulsive shoppers. Compulsive shoppers often have racks of clothes, accessories or other items with the price tags still on them. They sneak purchases into the home or lie about how much something cost. Their credit cards are often maxed out, and they often have debt collectors hounding them.

2. Seek professional help to stop compulsive shopping, which is an addiction. Find a therapist who can help you figure out why you shop till you drop. Work with your therapist to develop other coping strategies to soothe yourself when you are tempted to shop.

3. Get help with your finances. If you are behind on your bills, go to a legitimate credit counseling agency such as Consumer Credit Counseling Services, which is a United Way funded agency. Avoid scam credit counseling services that promise to make your bills go away but only make your situation worse.

4. Stop paying with credit cards. Use strictly cash or debit cards to pay for things. Some personal finance advice articles also say to pay by check, but checks bounce. Stick with cash or debit card.

5. Shop only in person and only for the things you really need. Make a list and stick to it. Whether it's groceries, school clothes for your kids or Christmas presents, don't impulse-shop. If it isn't on the list, don't buy it.

6. Cut up your credit cards, saving just one for emergencies. Take that one credit card out of your purse, and store it in a safe location at home for true emergencies.

7. Talk to your family about your problem, and ask them to help you. If your kids are always asking for stuff when you are out shopping, leave them at home. If your husband is a tightwad, bring him with you when you have to shop.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are wondering if you're a compulsive shopper, read the signs of compulsive shopping at Recovery Connection's website.
• You may want to consider joining Debtors Anonymous, which offers both online and face-to-face support groups all over the country based on the free 12-step program used by other addiction recovery groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
• To find a legitimate credit counseling service in your area, visit the National Foundation for Credit Counseling website and use its finder tool.
• Don't watch home shopping channels. Don't place catalog orders. And don't place Internet orders. Remember, cash purchases in person only.
• Call the credit card company where you have your one emergency card, and ask them to put a hold on your account so that any time you want to charge something you have to actually call the company to have them authorize it.
• If you have particular friends who are shopaholics, you may need to take a break from spending time with them until you have gained control over your addiction.

Resources

• Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery
• Debtors Anonymous
• Recovery Connection
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Who Can Help Sponsored

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