Most of us get down once in a while. We feel the world is a place full of problems and suffering. Well, what can help you feel better almost immediately? Shopping! Getting out and buying something, well, unnecessary stuff. It turns out that shopping is an almost universal remedy for sadness. Even when purchasing things we don’t need, we tend to enjoy shopping quite a bit.
Taking a shopping spree when you’re depressed can help you feel better. You feel much better when you do this – so much better than dealing with all your problems. It’s kind of like a drug.
When a person engages in retail therapy for the first time, it may seem innocent but eventually can develop into a consuming disorder. This addiction can result in you running up your credit cards and even causing relationship problems due to your attempts to hide your spending. If our shopping obsession is too severe, we may even be tempted to steal from retirement accounts or family members.
Is there a way to deal with a shopping urge when it arises?
The following tips will assist you in eliminating unnecessary spending.
Avoid taking your credit cards with you
Don’t carry your credit cards when you go shopping. According to the research, using cash cuts our spending by approximately 20-30%. For most people, giving money out of their hands hurts. We feel the weight of the money. However, when we use a credit card, we rarely experience this feeling. It seems that we have unlimited purchasing power.
We don’t realize how much money we spend since the cash never leaves our hands. Credit card companies capitalize on this by offering rewards like cash back and travel points, making the situation even worse.
Consider canceling your credit cards if you are experiencing shopping problems and overspending.
It is important to be aware of your emotional needs
As we discussed at the beginning, negative emotions are among the primary triggers for shopping for fun. A need for emotional fulfillment motivates us to do it.
It is important to note that shopping is not the only way to fill that sense of emptiness. There are many other ways in which you can do this.
To relieve stress, you may wish to speak to a friend, write about your feelings in a journal, or even snuggle with someone you love. You may also wish to exercise or take a nature walk. Find other ways to satisfy your emotional needs to cope with life’s challenges.
Ask yourself why you are going shopping before you go.
It is undeniable that it feels right, but why are you doing it?
Are you prone to shopping for emotional reasons? Do you ever feel lonely? Do you have trouble making friends? Do you feel down? Are you angry because of something? Do you just feel bored?
As a matter of fact, this is exactly what many of us are experiencing. We are feeling a void in our lives and are seeking a way to fill it.
An individual with a shopping addiction feels the need to shop excessively, often to the point where it negatively impacts their life. Boredom, loneliness, and anxiety are some of the most common emotional backgrounds. It is not uncommon for people with shopping addictions to use shopping as an escape from difficult emotional or situational circumstances or as a way to fill a gap in their lives.
Put your mind on hold
It would help if you gave yourself some time between your impulse to buy and spending your money. It can be really helpful to hit the mental pause button. To get that time, you can ask some questions to yourself. Here are some examples.
- Would it be better if I waited to buy this item?
- How important is this to me? Is it essential?
- Do I already have one which is almost the same?
- Wouldn’t it be better to save this money for my long-term plans?
- Is it something that I would purchase tomorrow, too?
- Is this purchase something I’ll regret tomorrow?
- Please take a moment to answer these questions. You’ll be able to slow down and stop spending as a result.
Then, suppose you decide to buy it. You mustn’t buy it today, but postpone the purchase to tomorrow. This is a mighty tip. You are less likely to buy it if your emotions fade. The psychological hack of buying something tomorrow is a great way to avoid spending.
No matter what, you are unable to stop shopping.
It is time to seek help from someone else. I hope these tips will help you shift your spending behavior, but if they do not, you might consider asking for help. A compulsive buying disorder is a neurological condition where buying is so obsessive that it can become an addiction.
The consequences of shopping addiction can be severe. Spending excessively can lead to debt and other financial problems. People with a shopping addiction may feel anxious or depressed when they can’t shop. This can cause problems at work and in relationships.
It’s treatable, though, just like other addictions. Try talking to a therapist or joining a support group if you have trouble controlling your spending.
To conclude
We spend more money than we can afford due to psychological needs. The feeling of love and being needed is essential to us all. If we wish to stop overspending, we must find alternative ways to meet these needs. Rather than spending your hard-earned money on something you do not need, you should look for an activity that will ease your negative feelings.