Many people are struggling to even buy groceries right now. Since this post is in the bipolar section, I'm assuming you are bipolar. My brother now deceased had manic depression and when he was manic he once bought a fur coat, car and $2000 dollars is costume earings that he was planning to sell to stores(never did). It's common during the manic stage to spend. I think you should automatically put aside at least 10% in an account you can't touch. I would even get rid of all your credit cards - carry cash only. Ask yourself before you purchase anything - do I really NEED this for my life - if the answer is no, then don't buy it. Credit card debt can ruin your life. We recently declared personal bankruptsy because my husband can't control his spending. Now we're not allowed any credit cards and live month to month. I shop at the bargain grocery stores and look for sales on everything. I have saved alot of money doing this. Remember it's just useless stuff and when you die you can't take it with you.