Are You a Shopaholic? Here's Some Help

If you are a true shopaholic - you are a compulsive spender, making purchases long after you are in debt. You often shop as a coping mechanism for anger or depression. You rarely buys items because you feel that you need or want them. You shop to fill a void. According to Bankrate.com, studies estimate that as many as 17 million Americans, more than 5% of the population, can't control their urge to shop - even at the expense of their job, marriage, family and finances.

How Do You Know if You're a Shopaholic?

There are many symptoms and clues to determining if you are a shopaholic. If you find yourself identifying with several of these items, you may have a problem:

• You shop when you are upset or depressed.
• You shop when you do not need anything.
• You are in denial over the amount of money you spend.
• You own multiple credit cards with high dollar amounts on each.
• It's exciting to shop, but you feel depressed or anxious at a later point.
• You often feel that your purchases are getting out of control.
• You have many unopened and unused items in your home.
• You lie about the amount of money you have spent.
• You continue to shop even if you are in debt.
• Shopping has caused issues in your relationships.
• You think often about money and shopping.
• You feel that your shopping has become out of control.

How Do You Stop Overspending and Treat Shopaholic Tendancies?

There are multiple professionals that you can speak to in regards to shopaholic attributes. You can speak to a therapist or psychiatrist if there are underlying depression problems. You can also work with a financial planner to perform a debt analysis and work to get your finances under control. These smaller tasks will also help you get on the right track:

• Only shop with cash - cut up all ATM cards, credit cards, and put away the checkbook.
• Stop impulsive purchases by walking away from an item for a day.
• Take someone with you when you go shopping.
• Give your account access to your spouse.
• Stop watching shopping channels.
• Stop making online purchases.
• Create a budget and stick to it.
• Return any excessive purchases that have not yet been used.
• Document your purchases in a journal so you can visually see your shopping.
• Take up a new hobby to pursue when you feel the urge to shop.