Extreme Spending - Share Your Stories

In 2005 I declared bankruptcy after running up about $135000 in credit card debt between 1998 & 2005. I bought a Nissan Altima, Infiniti G35 & Nissan Murana, all new, over a 4 yr. time span. Looking back it's hard to fathom how much of a negative financial impact my moods had on my family.

My story is about having delusions of wealth.

During my first mania in 2008, I was convinced that I had heaps of money on the way. I was really into The Secret & manifestation of things desired. I believed whole-heartedly that when I chose to buy something, the money would magically be deposited into my bank account.

In reality I had no money of my own. I hadn't had a job for two years and was living off of my parent's money who could only give me the bare minimum of what I needed to live.

When I am manic I am incredibly convincing. People tend to believe whatever I tell them because I am so adamant and genuine and full of conviction.

One night I was walking down Hollywood Blvd. and I noticed a makeup store call Napolean Perdis. Loving makeup as I do, I went inside, took a quick look around, and asked the two salesgirls to wrap me up one of everything in the store. They absolutely bought it because I truly believed that I had enough money in my account to pay for it.

I went outside and waited for them to pack everything up. I was actually sitting on the sidewalk leaning against the wall with my legs splayed out. A young girl came up to me and told me that my earrings were pretty. I promptly took the hoops out of my ears and gave them to her.

When the salesgirl called me in I went up to the register to pay for my things. My card was declined. They ran it a total of 4 times and it was declined. I said thank you and told them I would return with the money. They just looked at me with horror.

Over the years when I had a little money here and there I would buy as much makeup and nail polish I could afford. During two manias I gave away half my makeup to friends and at one point threw away my entire nail polish collection of about 80 nail polishes.

So, yeah. It's almost a blessing that I've never had any money because I would have blown it all.

I really got into "the secret" too at one point hypo.
I gave this kid coming to the door selling magazines my last $500 dollars at the time so I could spread positive energy and have it come back to me

This was me, except with clothing. I've had money here and there, and I would spend it as soon as it came on useless things. I once thought I was going to be a famous rockstar and bought three guitars. I had never even touched a guitar up until that point, but I somehow convinced myself that it would be easy. I ran around showing my parents what I learned (I was 19 at the time), which in my mind was great, but it couldn't have been based on the looks on their face. I got two full sleeves with money my parents gave me for college. I needed to complete my rockstar look. I also dropped out, because rockstars don't need school.

I would also throw all of my clothes out, because I needed to make room for my new wardrobe. I would keep one outfit to wear while shopping, and throw everything else away. It was ridiculous.

I bought a horse in 2013 with a trailer. Mind you I lived in a small apartment. It didn't go over so well after I told my supports.

the most I've ever spent in 1 day is £1000 on amazon.

and it was all junk. nothing I wanted at all. I just saw it and had to get it

when it all arrived I just through it all in a cupboard somewhere (probably still have most of it), but it does annoy me those times.. because when you actually want to buy something you find you don't have any money left

and while i'm trying to do better with money, it's sort of hard- especially if you're me and you're just not as stable as you want to be

Hi -

Were you yet treated yet for bi-polar on this spending spree? ( I did the same thing 100K)

Are you on meds now and are they helping?

Thanks

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and diagnosis.

I have had spending issues my whole life.

I was on Wellbutrin for years and think that made me worse? Just added lithium a few days ago and feel better already.

Did u do the sprees medicated or was this after? and can I ask what meds u take?

THanks

Wellbutrin made me worse also. So did Citalopram alone. Citalopram with Loxitane did the trick for me. All of my sprees took place while I was unmedicated.

I spent $8,000+ over a two day period- November 13-14, 2015.

I am still in an odd place.

Oh wow. Just days ago.

I've had money issues for forever. I'm in my mid-50s now. Got my first credit card at 18 and had it maxed out at $10K within months.

My Mom passed away in April 2013. I received an inheritance, over about a 9-month period, of almost $100K. I bought a new car for myself, made a huge down-payment on a car for my daughter, bought new furniture (kitchen table/chairs, custom-made sofa, recliner, beds, etc.), enrolled in a full-time college program (jewelry design) and lived off the money for the 8-months the program lasted, purchased a workshop full of tools when the program ended (which I haven't touched since), etc. etc. The money just bled through my hands. I've since accumulated another $10K in credit card debt.

I am self-employed and struggle to make ends meet. My 21-year-old daughter has bailed me out more than once. I feel like such a loser.

Oh, and that furniture? I HATE it. All of it. Worst purchase I ever made.

Stop the world... I want to get off.

I've spent almost $1000 in the last 3 days. Somehow I managed to spend $200 at Walgreens on junk. Forgot to ask them to refill my prescriptions because I was so absorbed in crap. I feel like I need to review my receipt because I have no idea where the money went.

I also bought a bunch of clothes I don't need, two purses (why?!), three stuffed animals for soothing, lots of chocolate, etc etc. I put a couple of bags of clothes in my trunk so I could smuggle them in later, forgot about them and went and bought more of the same stuff that I "needed" the next day. I confessed part of it to my sister and she asked me to return some of the crap. I can't!! I just bought all that chocolate without caring that I'm spending another $200 at a weight loss clinic on Saturday. I don't know why I'm doing this, I don't have a job!!

When I was 20, I blew my life savings (about $3,000, a sad "life's savings" but still) on painkillers, weed and booze in about 2 or 3 months. Does that count as extreme spending?

I've bought than lost several houses, cars and anything that caught my fancy. So your not alone. It took me all these years to recognize when I'm getting in over my head. Now I have a healthy financial outlook, but it takes discipline and recognizing when your spending too much.

How long did it take you to get a handle on things? What steps did you take?

I too have lost multiple homes. I've also ruined my credit, lost my driver's license, and racked up a ridiculous amount of debt not even on my credit report. I like to think I have learned my lesson "for real this time," but I have said that before, yet I always end up right back where I don't want to be.

I too have had crazy spending sprees.... like dillpickle, i bought a miniature horse because i wanted one and had it delivered the same day, lol Like what was I thinking?

It's really scary that I just posted this 5 days ago and I spent $500 yesterday on clothes and crap. I knew I shouldn't and I felt afraid while I was paying but I didn't even realize I had impulse shopped just a few days ago. I seriously need help.

Wait... Like, a real, live miniature horse? I shouldn't be encouraging this behavior but that is awesome! I want one!