I definitely do some manic spending. I'm less impulsive about it than I could be - I try really hard to be rational about purchases - but whether I can afford them or not is something else.

Usually it's online spending, which is slightly more dangerous (to me) but what I typically do is obsessively work through the clearance sales for EMS, REI, LL Bean and sometimes J Jill. The good thing about sticking to clearances is that there are usually only a few clothes in my size, so that reduces the likelihood that I'll buy silly stuff I wouldn't wear. I must justify my purchases somehow (I remain aware of my distressingly high credit balances and low income) so I really just end up spending a ridiculous amount of time on it rather than a ridiculous amount of money. I also shop the thrift stores, but there aren't very many of those in my area, so that also reduces the overall spending but increases the likelihood of bringing home weird things.

Last time I got hypomanic (but not cycling from med shifts) I got into this really intense clean-out mode inspired by The Minimalists. I got rid of literally hundreds of items, mostly clothes I can't wear anymore and didn't expect I could wear in the next year. So that was a good anti-shopping move. When I'm not manic, I'm pretty frugal about buying more stuff because the more stuff you have, the more space you need, and the more there is to take care of and store, plus clutter makes me feel very uncomfortable.