[Melmo]

I know people spend a lot when manic, but is anyone else an impulsive spender all the time? I finally have an appt with my family dr to talk about bipolar/ADHD (he has mentioned he thinks I have bipolar and I think I could have ADHD but now I feel like o have so many symptoms of both that I have no clue)
I am an extremely impulsive spender and it's gotten so bad that I am in a very bad situation financially right now. It's a constant battle.

[annielovesbacon]

Yeah, I'm definitely an impulsive spender. I don't think before I buy things -- as soon as I see it, it's mine. It's a huge problem, I'm in a lot of debt. It's much worse when I'm hypo, because the things I impulse buy are usually bigger and more expensive, or I go on impulse shopping sprees.

[boogiesmash]

I am. And I too am in financial problems. Enough that I stopped paying my bills and will be filing for bankruptcy. As I type this I'm waiting for the Apple Watch to go on sale. Lol.

[Melmo]

My biggest problem is using food to relieve boredom and stress, so I order takeout a lot :/ I feel almost out of control.

[Melmo]

Also I got a loan for 2600 dollars in July. Other than buying a new pair of glasses that were much needed (the ones I had were 9 years old) I blew the rest and now I'm paying 300 a month to pay it back. I just lost my job in oct (quit) and now can't afford to pay it at all.

[JustJace2u]

My impulsive spending has gotten me into trouble to the point of having my wages garnished :-(

I spend when depressed, when manic and everything in between. My husband and I used to have a reasonably high income bracket and we are both spenders so the money went fast. Now we have no money but I still find ways to spend more than I have on things I don't need. Spending and being an overly good consumer are part of my problems. I've been feeding the economy monster though and some analysts would be happy to hear it but things will be different and must be different going forward. I think spending could be an addiction for me. I've been much better about it recently and even got past a manic episode without going nutty.

I hope you find a solution and I hope I do as well. (((Hugs)))

[Wander]

I can impulsive spend too. But after spending all my savings earlier I have put a ban on unnecessary spending. helps that I don't have a credit card. I can only spend what i have. Right now I am trying to save. Yet, in my mind I am already spending. Mostly I want to expand my record collection. So, when i am no longer IP I want to go to places that sell records. I need to keep an eye on it or I will spend $1000 on records which is a lot of my savings.

[boogiesmash]

Yup. Bought the Amazon echo and Apple Watch. Sigh

[hopeless2015]

Yes, I struggle with this, I also have a gambling addiction that gets me into a lot of trouble, I can't seem to save. That's a goal of mine, to make it from paycheck to paycheck without being broke or overdrawn on my account. Christmas is coming and I'm stressing about it.

[mossanimal]

This reminds me of when I first went to a psychologist with my issues (before I was diagnosed bipolar by psychiatrists following my hospital 'visit'). So I got into a lot of financial problems when I was single, living in California and spending like crazy on fancy restaurants and following new pursuits.. surfing, rock/alpine climbing, moutain biking, diving, etc.. as well as some embarassing sexual stuff :-). I was able to afford it at the time (although living from paycheck to paycheck) because I had a dream job. I lost the job due to my inability to focus on it while likely being in a state of hypomania. He asked me how much debt I had. Well I had maxed two credit cards and owed around $4000 and being bugged by collection agencies. I had also stopped paying student loans and in trouble for that. He told me this wasn't manic! It wasn't enough debt to be manic and he seemed to disregard the idea of hypomania. But what if I was making twice what I was making? It seems to me that your spending depends what is possible for you to spend. I suppose to be manic I had to be robbing banks to spend more??

Anyway... yes. I'm awful with finances and am an impulsive spender. If I could... I would rack up the debt to crazy proportions if I didn't have a very solid and efficient wife.

[cashart10]

I spend unreasonably when manic. Recently, for instance, my husband told me he would take my debit/credit cards if I spent another cent. I either buy every single thing I want and think my kids want or donate the crap out of our money. I once donated $700 (of a poor, one income family) to a bizarre, charismatic ministry believing I was compelled by the Holy Spirit. I otherwise spend hundreds and sometimes into a thousand dollars in the wee hours of the morning when all sense is thrown out the window. It is a problem. I am otherwise mostly frugal.

[OttyOtt]

I am so worried about Black Friday on. I tend to go manic from then through New Years. The shopping is totally out of control. One year I bought 400 video games in a month. I am really trying to get myself ready to mentally fight it, but it's happened 3 of the past 4 holiday seasons. Sigh.

[boogiesmash]

And you can add an iPad to the list.

[Unrigged64072835]

I'm not that good with money at all. Thankfully my husband does the finances, but next year things are going to change.

[Victoria'smom]

To my T's / pdoc it's more about the trouble it causes then how much was spent.

[Aliendaizy]

This has been a problem for me since a very young age. Even when I'm not manic, I'm very impulsive when I have cash on hand. It's like it burns a hole in my pocket. I've stopped using any sorts of credit cards, and want really because my credit is horrible now due to some past debts, but I also have a person that basically handles my money for me now. Somebody I trust basically takes most of my paychecks each week and sets that money aside for bills, taxes, savings, etc. I keep what I need for the week. It feels silly at times, like I'm a child with an allowance, but it has helped immensely. I'm finally paying off debts and even just bought a home because of it. I would definitely suggest trying something like this if you have a person you can trust.

Originally Posted by mossanimal

This reminds me of when I first went to a psychologist with my issues (before I was diagnosed bipolar by psychiatrists following my hospital 'visit'). So I got into a lot of financial problems when I was single, living in California and spending like crazy on fancy restaurants and following new pursuits.. surfing, rock/alpine climbing, moutain biking, diving, etc.. as well as some embarassing sexual stuff :-). I was able to afford it at the time (although living from paycheck to paycheck) because I had a dream job. I lost the job due to my inability to focus on it while likely being in a state of hypomania. He asked me how much debt I had. Well I had maxed two credit cards and owed around $4000 and being bugged by collection agencies. I had also stopped paying student loans and in trouble for that. He told me this wasn't manic! It wasn't enough debt to be manic and he seemed to disregard the idea of hypomania. But what if I was making twice what I was making? It seems to me that your spending depends what is possible for you to spend. I suppose to be manic I had to be robbing banks to spend more??

Anyway... yes. I'm awful with finances and am an impulsive spender. If I could... I would rack up the debt to crazy proportions if I didn't have a very solid and efficient wife.

My parents don't have Bipolar that I'm aware of and they once bought 3 houses back to back, several cars and started 2 businesses back to back. I spend little amounts over and over that add up to lots when I'm manic. I jump from website to website making purchases and store to store. I can walk in for toothpaste and walk out spending $300.00 on things I didn't need. Your doctor sounds like a fool. (Sorry). (((Hugs)))