[Martina]

Do you have problems with spending too much money ALL THE TIME, or is it only when you're manic?

It's listed as an impulsive manic behavior, but I swear I can't control my spending no matter how I'm feeling. It's not as bad now as it used to be, but for example - I took out $50 bucks on Friday, and there's less than $5 bucks left in my purse today. That was supposed to last me a whole week, not a day & a half!

I'm not manic right now, I'm really not. So how do you explain this? And how do you STOP it?

We are so broke. We have nearly $75,000 in debt, thanks to me, and my new job doesn't pay worth crap. So why can't I control myself?

How do you get better control over spending your money?

[bp*april]

I have a lot of trouble with spending,too. I am about 35K in debt. I m totally broke until the first of next month. Spending is worse when manic--but sometimes when I' m depressed, spending makes feel better. I don't have any cards and deal only with one check card. When online, I put items i want in the wish list and this makes me feel better and is not so hard on my finances. I wish i could help you.

[Eloise42]

I find myself compulsively following routines, whether they are healthy or not. I think the need for routine is not unrelated to being bipolar, when my routine is disrupted it can be a trigger. If you are similar then maybe spending money became the routine you don't want to disrupt maybe?

[Yoda]

I have problems much of the time. My son wanted to go to preorder a video game at Gamestop this week and while I was there I said let's go into Pier One. I didn't need or want anything in particular but I felt the urge to buy. I looked at some chairs and pillows but they weren't exactly what I wanted. I finally settled on two bracelets that were six dollars each. Leaving with my little bag of goodies felt so good. Also this week I have order clothes online twice. They were on clearance but still I didn't "need" them. But I can't resist the urge. I don't know how to control it.

[Skully]

I am constantly spending way too much money, manic or depressed. I really need to stop it but for some reason I just can't.

[Pughead]

I have the spending issues as well, and the mountain of debt to show for it. I just bought a car and rolled all the upside down debt on the old one into the new loan. And oh yeah, that's my 6th car purchase in the last 5 years. That upside down debt just floats from loan to loan, and keeps growing. I bought gap insurance this time. That means if the car is totaled in a crash, they will pay out the balance of the loan, even though the amount from the insurance company wouldn't be enough to cover it. I don't want to put a curse on myself, but maybe that would be for the best?

It was strange though, this time. When I bought the car, I didn't really care. I wasn't elated about it. My wife was excited about it, even though she's definitely felt the distress from my reckless purchases. I like it, but it's just kind of no big deal. With all the other purchases, I was over-the-top elated and obsessed. I guess when your spouse is really into it, it takes all the thrill out.

[Trippin2.0]

WOW...I thought I was the only one who sucked at budgeting...
I always spend wAy too much money, mostly on stuff I don't need. When I'm upset, I buy clothes and shoes to make me feel better. Or I spend money on junkfood, and sometimes I actually just give it away...I'm so BROKE, it's just not funny, always in debt, and yet I just don't seem to listen no matter how many lectures I give myself...
My mom says I'm just irresponsible, but if it were THAT simple, I'd have stopped overspending by now...
Why is this happening? How do we fix this?

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Why is this happening? How do we fix this?

I wish I knew.

Last night I bought some software on ebay that I "had" to have. Not really but I felt that I had to have it right now, can't wait any longer. I am trying really hard not to buy a shirt and pair of jeans online. I keep looking at them and wanting to buy them. I have gained 25 pounds since Dec and I rationalize that I need some more clothes that fit. It would be nice but really I seldom leave the farm so nobody but my son knows if I wear the same clothes over and over. Trying sooo hard to resist because I need food for animals and stuff and I am afraid I might spend too much on frivolous things I don't REALLY need and be short on money before next month.

I get such satisfaction from buying something new. It doesn't have to be big. Just a new pair of socks feels good. Is this some kind of OCD you think?

[Fresia]

I'd love any ideas and help for this too. Someone once suggested whatever it is to tell yourself to wait a week and if you still HAVE to have it by then you can go back. It has helped for some things b/c at times have: forgotten about it, been able to reason through whether it is really needed, or if can actually afford it (LOL-not usually the case) during that time but several times it hasn't helped at all. At least it has helped with some things and thankfully it's one less thing to feel guilty about.

[Trippin2.0]

Trouble is, even though I don't NEED most of my purchases...it FEELS like I need it NOW...and Ive tried waiting...after 2 weeks, I'll still buy it! I think I like how I feel when I buy things, it's the 1 thing that doesn't dissapoint emotionally...
But seriously, I need to stop, I can't afford any of it. I'm a single mom barely survivng on minimum wage...bet I could probably just about survive if I stopped overspending... (I must say I'm proud I've never let my spending sprees jeopardize my daughter though.)

Wish there was a button I could push

Does anyone have any suggestions beside the "waiting period"?

Hi Martina! Well, I've got it a little different, so thought it'd be worth posting. Generally speaking, I'm very frugal. I like to consider it a venue for creativity (which is the one postive I have in boatloads -- hehe, constantly try to keep remembering when trying to counter negative self-esteem/talk). Also, I truly *don't* have it to spend, and absolutely *refuse* to go into debt. It would just stress me out way too much, and there's plenty enough to stress out over without it.

But, there are definitely spells where I get...compulsive(?) Not big things, but... they seem to be catagorical. Ebay has been a big problem for me, being able to search specific catagories for the whatever the obsession of a given spell is. Ok, ask yourself, just how many hand fans could a person possibly need? Bet the answer isn't 27, but that's just how many I ended up with during one of these sprees. It may well be connected to hypomanias, but, because I wasn't diagnosed for so long, it's hard to say. May well be. (The evidence in other areas --like huge productivity and crazy projects-- is, shall we say, more obvious. )

[youngm357]

What worked for me was filing bankruptcy; we are on the Chapter 13 repayment plan. When i got sick a couple of years ago I lost my six figure income and went in the hole real fast. Most of our debt was in real estate BUT we were also using real estate as a source of cash. When I got home from treatment we had no choice as I was looking at SSDI as my income. It has been 2 years and we have incurred no new debt. Partly because no one will give us credit which is fine with me. We do have an AMEX for emergencies but everything else is cash. I have found that when I am thinking about buying something for $100 I really do think about it before I hand over 5 20's. Do I like to buy stuff? Yes! But having a little bit of savings and no credit card and real estate debt has had a positive impact on my life. I used to own a $900k house, had 2 brand new mercedes in the garage and took extended travel vacations. I actually had my own sales associate assigned to me at Nordstrom's. I now rent a house for $1000k a month and drive a 6 year old pickup. Vacations consist of camping and I don't shop at Nordstrom's anymore. The message is that I thought I had it all and then lost it all but found out that i am less stressed and able to manage my BP more consistently. However no one is perfect and I recently found myself with 3 pairs of new hiking boots sitting in my living room and struggling to figure out which to take back. Accountability is very important and we have a budget software program that requires me to enter every purchase I make. Cause me to think twice.

[kadesgirl09]

my husband makes me make a list and if when we get to the store its not on the list I dont get it. And if I forget to put it on the list then it wasnt that important and can wait until the next list. This is for everything we need plus the things I want. I get a little high going to SAMs and buying bulk laundry soap, paper towels, cleaning supplies etc. because I FEEL like I'm spending the money and really its on things we need anyways. I totally relate to this post though. Wish I could take a part time job to make money to just spend however I feel like. But the truth is that money would be gone quick and then I would be out time I could have been spending with my kids. lol guess I just have to keep letting my husband handle the finances.

[Moreta]

So I'm an accountant and I can't handle my own finances. Can you imagine the self-hate that comes along with that?

bay has been a big problem for me, being able to search specific catagories for the whatever the obsession of a given spell is. Ok, ask yourself, just how many hand fans could a person possibly need? Bet the answer isn't 27, but that's just how many I ended up with during one of these sprees.

And that would be why I have 20+ 502-B Pyrex Refrigerator Dishes....

[Changeling412]

I also have the spending issues. When manic I feel like I just have to have whatever it is i'm obsessed with at that time. When depressed shopping makes me feel better. I always spend money that I know I shouldn't. It's like as soon as I tell myself that I shouldn't buy something, my next reaction is to reach for my debit card and by it anyway. I used to spend all my money on books, pocketbooks and stationery supplies. Now I spend it all on my daughter...buying her toys and clothes that she doesn't need and have no place to put it. I don't know what to do about it so I just try to limit it as much as I can. I used to think not carrying money would help but I actually spend more with the debit card so now if i'm going to the store to get her some shoes...I take just enough cash for what I need and I leave my debit card and checkbook at home. Sometimes that helps.

[general scott]

arnt we just helping the economy?

[Maxime]

I over spend all the time. It's like a compulsion for me. I am really embarrassed about all the money I have spent and no one in my family know the extent of it. Right now I am trying to pay off two credit cards which is hard because I am on Welfare at the moment. Sometimes I really hate my life.

[justasmallpiece]

Honestly what helps me with spending, is just getting into food shopping! I am like kadesgirl I guess. This really helps me curb the spending. I shop frequently for food too which I think helps. I wish I had a better tip but this does help me - I just focus on my food shopping as an outlet for spending.

[shaggy dog]

I thought I had a solution by opening an itunes account. I figured at 99 cents per song how much could I spend. 5000 songs later I realized just how fast it can add up. I was just obsessively buying songs, albums and audiobooks. Now I only buy gift cards and "try" to stay within the cards limit. One push of the button shopping and Hello Credit Card Bill.

[Pughead]

Originally Posted by shaggy dog

I thought I had a solution by opening an itunes account. I figured at 99 cents per song how much could I spend. 5000 songs later I realized just how fast it can add up. I was just obsessively buying songs, albums and audiobooks. Now I only buy gift cards and "try" to stay within the cards limit. One push of the button shopping and Hello Credit Card Bill.

You should buy from Amazon. The songs are encoded at a higher quality, and they are mp3 so you can easily play them anywhere. I'm not criticizing your purchases because I do it too!!! It's so easy to spend in this digital age. I'm just sayin!

[Martina]

Well, I'm not so sure this is "working" yet, but my latest attempt is that we have opened up a new checking account that is solely for my spending, with a debit card attached to it. A set spending amount is direcit-deposited from my paycheck biweekly and it is for my groceries, gas, meds, spending, and cash. If I spend too much on frivolous crap, we don't eat, or I don't get my meds. When the money's gone, it's gone. We'll see how this works. And I'll no longer use my credit card - my husband has it locked up somewhere.

And I've asked him to watch our regular checking account for any cash withdrawals made by me - there should be none from now on.

Maybe this will work. Maybe.

Cross your fingers.

[Trippin2.0]

GOODLUCK!!!! I applaud you on your efforts

[bridgie]

I have been doing the exact same thing spending money I don't have I feel the stuff I but is necessity to improve quality if life but they are large credit purchases. I had a plan a three year plan but that's not happening anymore maybe. Five year. Only if I stop now but I don't know if I can there will always be that something the book the movie the meal out the new couch the laptop with mobile broadband. Not only that but I have dr bills and student loans that need paying off. I've even cancelled appointments so I don't wrack up anymore debt that way. Its crazy and I don't have a clue how to stop

[appychick]

Originally Posted by Martina

Do you have problems with spending too much money ALL THE TIME, or is it only when you're manic?

It's listed as an impulsive manic behavior, but I swear I can't control my spending no matter how I'm feeling. It's not as bad now as it used to be, but for example - I took out $50 bucks on Friday, and there's less than $5 bucks left in my purse today. That was supposed to last me a whole week, not a day & a half!

I'm not manic right now, I'm really not. So how do you explain this? And how do you STOP it?

We are so broke. We have nearly $75,000 in debt, thanks to me, and my new job doesn't pay worth crap. So why can't I control myself?

How do you get better control over spending your money?

I am the same way, I have no answer but your not alone

[greylove]

Getting a bipolar diagnosis and going on medications took care of it for me. Before I was diagnosed, my spending sprees were through the roof. I went into the drugstore for a notepad and came out with $132 worth of paper, pens, markers, etc. Also, had at least three sprees in a consignment store, buying dozens of clothing articles, purses, belts, and other things I didn't need. Gave away money like it was growing on trees......to a new "friend", to a new church (part of that heightened religosity that I've read about) and stopped in the knick of time before I spent $7000 on Oriental rugs of all things! I did it all without blinking. Once I found out I was in the mania phase of bipolar disorder, I learned too that spending sprees were a classic symptom. It chills me to think of how out of control and unaware I was. This is only my second post, but I am already relieved to find others who know exactly what I've been through. I hope you find your answer among these posts, even if mine seems to be stating the obvious.