[hamster-bamster]

I have spent some money on myself:

1) Bought about 6-8 CD's for the car (several discounted items and several full price items)

2) Bought clothes at Ross, Target, and Nordstrom rack (for non-US folks - Ross and Target are cheap stores, and Nordstrom rack is medium-priced)

3) Bought shoes at those places plus from Zappo's (for non-US folks - a huge online shoe wear retailer offering a very convenient and lax return policy)

It does not seem to be manic spending, though. I did (1) once I realized that learning how to get free music and then burning my own CD's for the car would not be worth it - so I just bought the CD's which were not terribly expensive.

(2) - most clothes fit, and the rest would be returned promptly. The clothes also sort of play well together, although I was not purposefully buying them thinking of combining them. But the result is pretty nice - versatile.

(3) few pairs of shoes fit, but I will return the rest. One pair of Birkenstocks bought on sale at Zappo's seems to fit well, so I am excited - it is really hard for me to buy shoes since my feet are big.

So far not manic. And, I am cautious with receipts/tags.

But it feels good.

So I wonder why.

Is it because I take care of the basics (shoe wear and clothes that fit and entertainment in the car are sort of basic)?

For me shopping is a sign of going up on a high. I love to shop and have a difficult time in controlling it. It feels like a buzz but comes with the guilt of the money spent. Just one more thing I have to take care of and deal with.

[BlueInanna]

I've been doing it too recently - $400+ at Marshall's (like a Ross store/closeouts). Whoops, didn't mean to spend that much, but it was fun. I got clothes for myself & kids & some needed household items. Shopping is just fun if I hit the right store at the right time. I'm not alarmed, it's not crazy behavior. (I'm well aware of my other current crazy behavior though).

[BinaryMan]

I get that high feeling too when I buy hardware upgrades (I keep an eye out for sales at newegg) or when I catch a sale on Steam. Even buying simple little things like snacks and batteries and hand tools are a joy.

I, however, am not aware if I am manic or not during these times. I am only allowed to use "extra money", the income I make on the side by fixing laptop's and pc's, to make purchases. Any other purchases are subject to thorough investigation by the girlfriend before I am allowed to use the bank card. Because the extra money is not essential to my financial wellbeing there isn't any negative impact if my spending was caused by mania and almost all my purchases had a purpose (except those ten molex splitters. Not sure what I was thinking there. )

[ultramar]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I have spent some money on myself:

1) Bought about 6-8 CD's for the car (several discounted items and several full price items)

2) Bought clothes at Ross, Target, and Nordstrom rack (for non-US folks - Ross and Target are cheap stores, and Nordstrom rack is medium-priced)

3) Bought shoes at those places plus from Zappo's (for non-US folks - a huge online shoe wear retailer offering a very convenient and lax return policy)

It does not seem to be manic spending, though. I did (1) once I realized that learning how to get free music and then burning my own CD's for the car would not be worth it - so I just bought the CD's which were not terribly expensive.

(2) - most clothes fit, and the rest would be returned promptly. The clothes also sort of play well together, although I was not purposefully buying them thinking of combining them. But the result is pretty nice - versatile.

(3) few pairs of shoes fit, but I will return the rest. One pair of Birkenstocks bought on sale at Zappo's seems to fit well, so I am excited - it is really hard for me to buy shoes since my feet are big.

So far not manic. And, I am cautious with receipts/tags.

But it feels good.

So I wonder why.

Is it because I take care of the basics (shoe wear and clothes that fit and entertainment in the car are sort of basic)?

I think shopping can be fun and soothing and a nice treat! Not necessarily a bad thing. The trick, of course, is keeping within one's budget and that can be hard for a lot of people, for various reasons.

Hope you enjoyed!

[kaliope]

I don't know if it is necessarily spending the money that feels good but acquiring the new items. having the music brings joy into your life, feeling good in the new clothes and shoes. the items themselves make us feel good. possesions do bring joy.

[H3rmit]

Well, it doesn't for me. Never. I hate spending money. I felt good when I got a new swimsuit this week, which I needed, and was on deep discount as well. But I still hate spending money.

[Confusedinomicon]

You get an adrenalin rush from spending money.

I love shopping and buying trading card packs because you don't know if it will be good.

[A Red Panda]

Things that I splurge on actually cheer me up. It's not the spending of money (which I usually regret a bit as I'm always saving for bigger-ticket items) that makes me feel good... but I get happiness from what I purchase. If I look quite good in a new shirt? That will make me feel a bit better on days when I'm self-conscious. New books always cheer me up because I enjoy it so much.

[bluemountains]

OMG, is it a virus that is spreading?
I am overspending online. Plus, I have been taking money out of our bank account so that the online statement doesn't show an amount for my purchases, then I introduce them slowly. Right now I am in a buying frenzy for my house, plus I am on a cotton sundress search. My kitchen counter is so cluttered that it disgusting me, so I am looking for cute solutions-like a nice wire banana/vegetable basket, plus other nice organizers. Also, my big purchase is coming up, a square dining room suite. I have to wait until I receive my first paycheck for the new teaching school year for that one.
Yes, I am in a frenzy, and Amazon is my good friend. I have had two deliveries this week! Because I hide some of these from my husband, I am able to justify the others. I am working hard, though, to stay within a decent credit card limit.
Bluemountains

[hamster-bamster]

Bluemountains, be careful with organizers. Those organizing solutions can create a mess of their own - I have seen it happen for sure!

[moremi]

Ive been spending like crazy as well. I went out and got all new throw pillows and curtains and nice big rugs. I saw that the store I was in was having a large sale and I just went nuts and spent 500 or more on redoing things in the house. idk I have hurt myself though financially for the next month. I spent much more that just that store but that was the largest purchase. I dont know why I cant just stop myself. It is rediculous. Now I have borrowed against next months check by 660.00. Well atleast my house looks the way i want it to look now.

[Speed3]

I have always had a problem with shopping in a hypomanic mood. I am not sure why it is so alluring ?

Now that I don't go out much I have become an Internet shopper.

I can tell you, shopping and spending is a sure sign that I'm in trouble. These last few weeks, I've left my debit/credit cards w/ a trusted friend, and only get $20 a day. I can get into much trouble if I don't do that.