[Darvula]

Why is it? Why do we go out and spend huge amounts of money on unnecessary/ridiculous items when we are having episodes? I'd really like to know why.

[newtothis31]

For me- it's the comfort in following your impulses and the short-term elation feeling you have exactly what you need.

Definitely my least favorite part of the illness. Everything when you're bipolar is so much more expensive (prescriptions, dr visits, impulses).

[HALLIEBETH87]

Idk but online shop late at night...

[Disorder7]

Oddly enough I don't spend a lot of money on things. What usually happens is I get online and book expensive trips that I really shouldn't be taking. I like to travel and I tell myself, oh well, you only live once.

I'm now bankrupt, but I don't regret one single trip. I'd do it all over again.

[HALLIEBETH87]

My Dr says Im hypomanic right now. I've been spending stupid money.

[MotownJohnny]

Well, ok, it is fun. And, it isn't just bipolar folks, a lot of people have an addiction to overspending and to "stuff". I know a lot of people who have gotten themselves in trouble by spending on frivolity, both financial trouble and relationship trouble with spouses, etc.

It's fun, but it's not healthy. I wonder if part of it is the feeling that depression will come back when the high is over, and hey, "I might off myself, so why not spend it now." I was like that.

[Door6277]

Our society is constantly telling us to buy crap so I definitely don't think it's just us BPs asking "why in the world did I buy this junk" BUT that being said...I'm a HUGE traveler like someone else said. It feeds my disease that's for sure but it also in a lot of ways centers me and makes me feel whole. Nutty juxtaposition. I definitely spend money I don't have (which is bad) on traveling all over the place (which is fun). I also buy a lot of one particular band's merchandise (not Kiss...lol) - which is sad since I'm 40...

[tipper1492]

I w-a-y over spent on a huge item thinking it was going to be my dream place. All before I was diagnosed with BP. Even before that I wanted, and for the most part, had riding mower, tractor I didn't need, and more things like tools. Wife calls me, or did, hoarder. I believe that's true too but, we recently moved into smaller place because I got too old and didn't care to keep up with everything. Large yard and all that comes with taken care of it.
Evidently before being diagnosed BP, I just over spent, mostly on me. But after taken medication, and becoming aware, I no longer spend like I did. Reasons include daughter in college now, and now wife keeps all the books, and pays all the bills. Formally I didn't do a good job because I almost put us in a hole for sure.

[Polibeth]

Originally Posted by Disorder7

Oddly enough I don't spend a lot of money on things. What usually happens is I get online and book expensive trips that I really shouldn't be taking. I like to travel and I tell myself, oh well, you only live once.

I'm now bankrupt, but I don't regret one single trip. I'd do it all over again.

I am a "traveler" too. I once booked a trip to Boise, Idaho because I thought it would be "fun". I had a great time Whenever I get a little hypomanic or manic I get the urge to travel. I have to watch it, I don't have the budget for it.

[venusss]

I am a traveller too.

But hey, sometimes it's really your last chance to visit the places. Especially in some part of the world, eh.

[Turtlesoup]

Yeah I've rode the old been there done that shopping spree which always lets me out at "Why the #%@! did I buy that?". Not fun-(well it is during the shopping ) ran up huge amounts of debt, 2 bankruptcies, 2 storage units filled beyond capacity, 2 houses, etc. Have worked really hard the last few years getting my shopping & hoarding under control. To anyone who thinks it's hopeless I can share that if I can get better anyone can. Oh the pleasures of a minimalist lifestyle.

[Crazy Hitch]

Because I'm not thinking and I believe we need these items at the time.

Even if it means I eventually land up with ten boxes of pasta in the cupboard.

There is no logical filter when I go through these phases.

[bipolar angel]

Turtlesoup-good for you! As someone else said, I think many people in the world overspend. Not just people with bp or mi.I think people buy things to feel good.

[BipolaRNurse]

I spent us into not one but two bankruptcies. I collected carnival glass, decorative plates, and knickknacks. I also did things like spend a thousand bucks in Wal-Mart on clothes, shoes, nail polish, and Christmas decorations. Now I've got a house and garage full of stuff and have to move. GAAAHHH!!!

[Darvula]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

Because I'm not thinking and I believe we need these items at the time.

Even if it means I eventually land up with ten boxes of pasta in the cupboard.

There is no logical filter when I go through these phases.

Yeah, this is me too.

I agree that a lot of people overspend, not just people with BP, but in my case at least there is clearly a pattern for me that I buy ridiculous, unnecessary things and never think about the price ONLY when I am hypomanic or manic. At other times, I am very careful with money, and I am horrified by what I realise I have bought when I am having an episode.

[Victoria'smom]

I don't tend to get stuff. I tend to do events. Ie. Invite the neighborhood to dinner. I cook A LOT when manic. I want to do stuff. Like spend $15 on making my own dinner plate.

[Goldcrest]

I do tend to buy crazy things. But I also rush around making plans, book myself onto courses, buy tickets to concerts and events. Inevitably when time comes to attend the courses I have crashed.

[~Christina]

In the past I maxed out credit cards on mostly clothes shoes and handbag, thankfully I didnt buy outragious things , normal standard stuff , so I still use most all of it lol ..

Fast forward a bit , I no longer do any of that at least 15 + years .. The only things I buy is nail polish, Usually a few every month. I gives me my "fix" . Plus my nails are always looking amazing

I just limit my access to money, pretty much I only have 20 bucks I can use at any given time.

[JoeGrun11b]

I can only speak for myself, but it's because I love myself so much I think if anyone deserves that new whatever, it's me! Sounds awful, but it's the ugly hypomanic truth.

[lacerta]

Goldcrest
that's exactly the same with me. I've bought tickets for two concerts for upcoming weekend, but all I want to do is run away from people.

[Heechee55]

I end up spending a lot of money on tools. It's kinda an obsession. I have worked for many years doing property management and construction so tools were needed. Over the years I became fixated on always having the right tools for any trade I came across. I'm afraid to count up the total amount of money I have spent on them. Everything from plumbing and electrical to computer networking and phone work and between.

I hate to think how much I have spent on electronics and technology items because I justified with the logic it would make work easier.

Worst thing is, I usually ask people if I should first and they usually say go for it.

[JoeGrun11b]

I have to keep the small spending to a minimum because of our budget. Where I go wrong is the large purchases like vehicles and guitars. I get so fixated on things. My wife is to the point where she will tell me it's not a good idea. Then when I try to make my point, she will tell me something like, "Well, I've said what I need to say. I know you're going to get it anyway."

But I'm not a collector of stuff. I'm the opposite. I want to get rid of everything we aren't using. Everyone hates it when I go on a manic cleaning spree because I get trash bags out and start throwing stuff away that I feel we don't need anymore.

[hamster-bamster]

I have been able to at least refocus this energy and drive onto something that is useful and cannot rot, unlike food.

So yes, I have way too many pencils and pens, and sharpies of different color, but they do not go stale (when with caps, of course) and any time I need to write down something, I am not frantically looking for a writing implement because I have a magnetic containers with pens, pencils and sharpies on one of the sides of my fridge. In a way there is less stress this way. If stuff is all over, it is stressful, but if you know where it is, much less so or not at all.

[Standup2me]

The siren song of thrift shops...their sweet song...but of course I need more cups, I only have 30..and after all, they're just fifty cents each...and more plates...more jars...more glasses

Sound familiar to anyone

[Goldcrest]

Ha ha Standup2me! I have loads and loads of mugs, some very pretty. I live on my own and rarely have more than one other person visit at a time. So I hardly ever use more than two mugs. I've stopped buying them now. No cupboard space!