A Shopaholic's Guide to Affording Retail Therapy

I truly believe in retail therapy, it can be gratifying and rewarding. I also am a shopaholic! I have had to learn the hard way to control myself while shopping, and I would have benefited greatly if that lesson could have happened sooner rather than later. Here are five ways to continue shopping without finding yourself in a pile of debt! It is possible, believe it or not.

1. DO NOT apply for store credit cards. I do not care what store it is, what the percentage off is on your first purchase, or how often you shop there. No, no, and no. You will only continue to do this until you have five credit cards from five different stores and because the debt is separately recorded, you will not be able to accept the fact that it's piling up faster than you are paying it off. I speak from experience. Ladies, trust me, one credit card with a high balance is better than ten cards with low balances.

2. Learn to enjoy returning items! I do this so often, I'm surprised they still let me buy clothes at certain places. Shop until your exhausted and purchase only what you think you really want (I understand saying no to something you really love is hard to do, that's why we're taking baby steps here). Later on, when you are looking at your new items, count how many times you are actually going to wear them in the next two weeks. Planning on going places just to wear them does not count; it has to be a real situation. Then return the things you don't need! If the event you are shopping for is a long way away (things requiring formal dress don't count), don't shop for it now. You know you are going to see ten more things you will want to buy before it comes around. Plus, if you are anything like me, the satisfaction from shopping comes from actually spending the cash and taking your purchases home. If you return it, you are still getting that original feeling of contentment from shopping. And it's never a bad thing to have money handed back to you!

3. Shop at night or when you are tired if there's one specific item you're looking for. If you absolutely have to buy a pair of black pants, shopping when you're happy and energized will only lead you to find three perfect pairs and five tops to go with it. When shopping feels like an obligation, most likely you will be cranky, tired, and impatient. That means the first pair that fits and looks good is a winner! Go with it, you can always try it on again when you're in a better mood.

4. Inexpensive doesn't always mean cheap. This was the hardest lesson for me to learn. It took me way too long to realize that if a ten-dollar shirt looks just as good as a designer tee, I do not need to buy the designer one just because I want to. That is not a sensible way to shop. Most likely no one would know the difference anyways; at least that's the case with my friends and family. My sister actually introduced me to something I would never have guessed: Target has the cutest clothes! Whoever their new buyer is deserves a big raise, because I would definitely suggest going there first for adorable summer clothes and shoes. The more you learn to look at prices before just heading straight for the register, the better you will become at finding nice clothes in unexpected places.

5. Put clothes and shoes on hold. If you really cannot control your spending, this is the best route to take. Do not carry credit cards with you. You are less likely to spend money if you actually watch it disappear from your wallet. Most stores will hold clothes for at least 24 hours, so go back, try everything on again, and decide if you really want/need it. I guarantee that you will realize that you don't want it, and might not even go back to claim your items.

Using these tips can help you save money, while still being able to shop. I know I will never be able to give up shopping, but I am now capable of limiting the amount I spend! It is a great feeling to get home from a day at the mall and not be disappointed in yourself for losing a month's worth of pay.