My mum has admitted to trying to fill a void by buying things. This has gotten us into a lot of debt- though I'm not sure how much. (One time on eBay, I saw that she owed nearly $1,000 in just one month).

If she sees something she wants, she doesn't hesitate to get it. And it's not only just for herself. She wants to show her love for her children through money, because she isn't the mushy type. Even if we don't want what she gets, she wants to spoil us.

Recently, I agreed to liking a coffee brewer on QVC, but I wasn't going goo goo gaga over it (though I do admit to really liking it now, haha :P). She went online and ordered it. Another $100. A slight colour discoloration on the TV? Another $600 to buy a new one.

After she sees the damage she can do with having a credit card of two, she will get even more depressed. This will lead her into a bad mood, which will bring her to say-in a nutshell- that her spending is 'our fault.' 'We ask for this stuff, and we know we'll get what we want because we're spoiled.'

She was treated for bipolar years ago, but now it's only gotten worse since the death of my father. She has told me time and time again that she IS trying to fill a void, that this new toy will make her happy. It's a never ending cycle. But she refuses to get help (one reason is that she can't, not really).

I want my mom to get better, physically and mentally, and her spending has to stop. Is there anything we can do to help her break the cycle?