Do You Possess These 5 Telling Habits of a Shopaholic?

A shopaholic is a term coined for a person that is unable to control their shopping habits and spending. While a lot of people may joke about their shopping habits or those of a friend or family member, it is actually a potentially serious problem that should be given some consideration if you or someone close to you exhibits traits of being unable to control their spending. And with society pushing us to keep buying as the norm, this just exacerbates the issue.

Like most issues that manifest in our behavior, shopping addiction is many times a sign of underlying problems that are bubbling up in other ways. Shopping is a vice for some people, just like alcohol or gambling is for others. With that being said, if you think you have a problem, you should consult with a professional to help you sort through what is going on and the effect that this shopping habit is having in your life. Below are some traits that you may recognize if you are a shopaholic:

1. You hide your purchases from your significant other or those closest to you. Do you have a trunk full of items that you wait to bring in to the house until no one is around? Have you had enough of hearing the judgments from others about your purchases? If this is happening regularly, there may be some validity to their concerns.

2. You have a number of items that have never been used or even opened. Do you have a closet full of purses with the tags still on? A room with all the items you bought on sale (or not) that sits unused? Do tags still hang off sweaters in your closet months or years after purchase?

3. You shop “sales” while the rest of your financial life is in shambles. You put shopping before paying bills and saving for your needs. A great sale is just too tempting to pass up and you need to participate regardless of the effect it has on the rest of your life. You may even have mounting credit card debt that you are having a hard time keeping up with.

4. On particularly rough days, you shop to take the edge off. Ordering or bringing home that item makes you feel better and relaxes your nerves. Sometimes you even feel a rush by making a purchase.

5. You justify your spending when confronted- or even without being asked. You feel the need to defend yourself and your spending habits and regularly explain why you needed the item.

6. You buy items for others regularly even though you may not be able to afford them. You justify your spending because you aren’t spending money on yourself. However, you are still shopping and spending money regularly.

There is nothing wrong with a little shopping and purchasing things that bring us continuous joy. And there is also nothing wrong with buying a gift for a loved one from the heart and enjoying giving them this gift. However, where it turns into an issue is when the emotional charge behind it turns into more of a compulsion that you can’t easily control. If it is really hard for you to walk away from an item or purchase, pay attention to that. It should not be hard to walk away and not purchase on a regular basis. If you use shopping as a stand-in for dealing with what is really bothering you, this is another trait to look out for. If any of what we have discussed here poses a problem for you, consider talking to a professional. Even if you spend money working to improve this habit, you will save money over time by curbing your purchases and getting healthier mentally around your spending habits.