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HELP ME! I just can't stop shopping

9 replies

shopaholic · 06/05/2004 16:06

it is making me seriously overdrawn and v miserable. Anyone have the same problem. Its an addiction I want to get rid of.

OP posts:
Beetroot · 06/05/2004 16:09

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kiwisbird · 06/05/2004 16:10

Have you a husband who can take control for a bit, dole out an allowance and watch the account and credit cards, I used to be out of control but with help and I don;t mean policing, but done sympathetically by someone you trust is a real help, you have to get very very tough though...
good luck.

Tinker · 06/05/2004 16:12

When do you shop? I just don't go to the shops on Saturday afternoon when I'm skint because I will just spend.

Soapbox · 06/05/2004 16:12

Buy it - take it home for a couple of days. Put it all back in the carrier bags and take it back to the shop and get your money back!

Perfect solution - you get to shop to your hearts content but your bank balance is unaffected!

OK - I probably am being a bit glib. I think in reality it is a serious addiction and one which can lead to a lot of problems. Can you cut up/give your credit cards to someone else? Can you withdraw a set amount of cash each week and stick to that in terms of spending money?

How bad is the overdraft?

Beetroot · 06/05/2004 16:13

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marthamoo · 06/05/2004 16:20

I'm pretty bad too. I cut up my credit card and Next card and now only have a debit card, which helps. We are not majorly in debt, but we never have any money left at the end of the month (and are usually up to our O/D limit by pay day). The thing that I hate about it is that I spend, spend, spend then look back and think "where did that money go?"

At the moment I am trying very hard - we need to get a bit of a "rainy day" fund established and I have to stop frittering it all away. I was doing pretty well til today when I went in Boots and spent £16 on stuff I didn't really need.

The last huge argument dh and I had was about money and I said he would have to dole me out "housekeeping". He refused to do this so I am trying to control it myself. Two things you could try:

1.Keeping a strict written record of EVERYTHING you spend. This helps you see where your money is going and has the knock-on effect of making you pause in a shop before you buy something and question if you really need it. This only works if you are honest about it!

2.Withdraw a set amount at the beginning of the week and leave your cards/cheque book at home. Be realistic - you won't do it if you give yourself too little.

Good luck - I know how hard it is. I tend to spend when I am feeling a bit down - I think "if I can just have this one thing I will feel happy". It doesn't work though!

shopaholic · 07/05/2004 13:10

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will have to try a lot harder to be restrained. I think my main problem is boredom - perhaps logging onto Mumsnet will help!

OP posts:
unicorn · 07/05/2004 13:26

and then your next thread will be HELP- i am a MN addict what can I do?!!!!!

tigermoth · 08/05/2004 09:06

yes, mumsnet must be the cheapest addiction going.

I agee with soapbox about buying stuff and leaving them at home in carrier bags with receipt. I often do this, then wait a few days to decide if I really want and need that thing.

Also, what about shopping at bootsales and pound shops - you can still pick up lots of stuff, but it will cost you much less.

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