[xRavenx]

How do you work on controlling your impulses when it comes to managing money? This is only a big problem when I am manic, otherwise, I am okay.
Since I am manic, I feel I am driving myself into a hole and have a hard time thinking things through.

Anybody relate and/or have any suggestions?

I just bought an expensive piece of jewerly online that someone later told me "looked junky." I had my reasons for buying it. There's no return policy. I've also been buying more expensive foods and also buying a lot of other things that would be considered a waste. I am even considering going to a psychic tomorrow.

[bioChE]

In June of 2016 I started using YNAB to budget our finances. My desire to overspend just evaporated, almost overnight. Since then we’ve saved around $30k and our net worth has gone up 400%. It’s nothing short of amazing.

If you’re up for it, check out YNAB.com. Not a paid advertisement here, just a happy customer.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by bioChE

In June of 2016 I started using YNAB to budget our finances. My desire to overspend just evaporated, almost overnight. Since then we’ve saved around $30k and our net worth has gone up 400%. It’s nothing short of amazing.

If you’re up for it, check out YNAB.com. Not a paid advertisement here, just a happy customer.

Thanks, I'll look into it.

I hit myself with a dose of Olanzapine. It is fast-acting. It is sedating. Great stuff.

Best to call the pdoc for something.

If you’ve already done that, think about consequences.

Wait three days before you buy something.

Use your manic energy to solve problems that you didn’t have the energy to before. I got a refund of something I had purchased a year before that was defective. I got a 50% refund on a defective massage chair AND they sent me a newer, upgraded model. Because I was relentless.

Use the energy for a cause you believe in.

I dug up my yard, which was incredibly hard, due to rocky, compacted clay and planted several trees and bushes.

Or exercise.

[xRavenx]

I just spent like $40 online to get spiritual guidance. I have to stop doing stuff online, this is getting out of hand and sounds embarrassing.
I keep saying I'm going to do the "right thing" then do the opposite. What is wrong with me? My impulse control is seriously zero.

I can’t control my spending, either.

I’m so afraid that, 10 months out of Chapter 7, I will attempt to ‘rebuild my credit,’ only to spend my way into debt, again. Even without filing for bankruptcy, my creditors could not have gained judgments against me as my only income, now, is my single SSDI monthly payment.

I can only empathize. I have been in this manic phase for so long. In the 1980’s - when I was wealthy - I would hit the elite malls and buy so many things that I wanted but really had no use for, and I would feel a satisfaction making the purchase. It is similar now but so much faster with the internet. Two or three clicks and the new beaver-felt hat will arrive in days. The same with the Mont Blanc Meisterstück pens - I need so many! And the goods arrive and I destroy the packaging and put the items away and forget about them and spend again and again. I derive pleasure from purchase to arrival and for a while it feels like good sex.

I’m wary of ‘key-tones’ advice because the proposed solution sounds too much like another manic symptom - “increase in goal-related activity.”

I don’t know what YNAB is or what they might do. I have had the opportunity to allow a payee to take over my finances but I couldn’t do it; I just could not do it.

I do hope that someone might offer a solution.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by ciderguy

I can’t control my spending, either.

I’m so afraid that, 10 months out of Chapter 7, I will attempt to ‘rebuild my credit,’ only to spend my way into debt, again. Even without filing for bankruptcy, my creditors could not have gained judgments against me as my only income, now, is my single SSDI monthly payment.

I can only empathize. I have been in this manic phase for so long. In the 1980’s - when I was wealthy - I would hit the elite malls and buy so many things that I wanted but really had no use for, and I would feel a satisfaction making the purchase. It is similar now but so much faster with the internet. Two or three clicks and the new beaver-felt hat will arrive in days. The same with the Mont Blanc Meisterstück pens - I need so many! And the goods arrive and I destroy the packaging and put the items away and forget about them and spend again and again. I derive pleasure from purchase to arrival and for a while it feels like good sex.

I’m wary of ‘key-tones’ advice because the proposed solution sounds too much like another manic symptom - “increase in goal-related activity.”

I don’t know what YNAB is or what they might do. I have had the opportunity to allow a payee to take over my finances but I couldn’t do it; I just could not do it.

I do hope that someone might offer a solution.

Thanks for this. I relate to this so much.

[~Christina]

Can you limit your access to Money as in you dont keep money or credit cards on hand?

I let my husband manage the money... It works for us , If I need something there is no issue but the " wants" ? I could easily blow through money when going Hypo . Ugh

I only meant to redirect manic energy while waiting for the Olanzapine/whatever other meds kick in. When energetic, I can’t sit around like I usually do.

Giving someone else control is a good solution if you have someone.

[5150DirtDiva]

I go to my favorite places to shop and fill up my bag.

I go through every item when I am done and carefully to discern if I really need it or if I want it.

If I want it, it gets removed.

Do I have a similar item already? Remove.
Etc.

I usually end up emptying the cart. Shopping fun without spending money.

[piano97]

It is a hard place to be in, I'm sorry you are in that place.

I have 'spent' huge amounts of money at times when on the manic end...insight goes out the window.

It is good you are here talking to people about it, that can only help things.

Is there someone who can take your bank card for now?

I went wild a couple months ago, I have a bunch of stuff that I might be able to return, but i haven't had the energy to because of depression.

Unfortunately, I can't 'return' $2,000 I 'invested' in some crappy stocks that I was convinced I was going to get rich on...

Just a tip, in case you’ve shopped Amazon—they will take things back when you call that won’t go through online (if it is past the date for return, or other reasons).

They will email a return label to you.

I have that same problem where I can’t seem to do anything once depressed.

[Sliders]

Ooh, I've had this issue before when I've been hypo/full blown manic.

I agree with what others have said; if you have someone to help you manage your funds, allow them to help you.

Otherwise spending could easily get out of control (speaking from experience).

[Pookyl]

I’m an inpatient and I’ve still managed to spend. I gave my credit card to my husband yesterday as I had plans to abscond and disappear using credit. I woke up with a sense of relief today.

I'm currently going through a bit of a christmas depression (I'm okay other than that, just the christmas thing)

I have spent loads this week on stuff I don't even want/ need, and I think the christmas blues has a lot to do with it (I think it's to ensure I have plenty to open on christmas day)

so what if I spend £40 on a 10 cd box set of the 1980's, and hate the 1980's

it's something to open, right?. and you don't see my family or anyone getting involved with gifts, so..

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by key tones

I only meant to redirect manic energy while waiting for the Olanzapine/whatever other meds kick in. When energetic, I can’t sit around like I usually do.

Giving someone else control is a good solution if you have someone.

I should probably keep my credit cards somewhere safe, but not right by my side, or I am vulnerable to spending more money that way effortlessly.

My pdoc on the phone today brought up the possibility of Lithium or Depakote. I want to avoid it if I can. Maybe she could just increase my Seroquel again, although it makes me tired.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by key tones

Just a tip, in case you’ve shopped Amazon—they will take things back when you call that won’t go through online (if it is past the date for return, or other reasons).

They will email a return label to you.

I have that same problem where I can’t seem to do anything once depressed.

Good to know.... I do buy things off Amazon. Thanks

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by piano97

It is a hard place to be in, I'm sorry you are in that place.

I have 'spent' huge amounts of money at times when on the manic end...insight goes out the window.

It is good you are here talking to people about it, that can only help things.

Is there someone who can take your bank card for now?

I went wild a couple months ago, I have a bunch of stuff that I might be able to return, but i haven't had the energy to because of depression.

Unfortunately, I can't 'return' $2,000 I 'invested' in some crappy stocks that I was convinced I was going to get rich on...

Maybe I can give my card to a relative, even if it's just for a brief period of time. Paypal is a trigger, so I'll have to arrange something. At least since I work late this week, there won't be any time to do online shopping and frivolous things, so that might deter me. I do spend too much money on food though.

[Wonderfalls]

I managed to spend a fortune (given my income) at a thrift store--furniture and even a sewing machine, of all things I would never use. The only cure was the cure for mania, hospitalization and drugs.

[annielovesbacon]

I have a problem blowing my paycheck almost always the very day I get paid. I've been trying to work on it. So far things that have helped are: blocking online shopping websites, taking advantage of return policies, and using cash instead of card. The cash thing really helps because you physically have less money when you spend it, rather than when you have a card you don't really see your money going anywhere. I guess it's kind of a psychological trick.

[xRavenx]

Thanks for all the tips! I do need to work on this.... especially with the holidays coming up!

The holidays. Yes. I have been buying gifts for others for three months. I overbuy for others. I have overbought for all. I buy duplicates - what if he prefers green over blue? Best to buy both, just in case!

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by ciderguy

The holidays. Yes. I have been buying gifts for others for three months. I overbuy for others. I have overbought for all. I buy duplicates - what if he prefers green over blue? Best to buy both, just in case!

I get the same way when I buy stuff usually! I think this year, I'll try my best not to overthink things. I am stressed that the holidays are getting closer, and I still have a lot to do. Different things kind of hit me at once too. Therapy is expensive, and I am at an unfortunate time, where I need it the most. Plus my pdoc visit upcoming is $40. On top of this, I just found out that a close family member of mine, well, her addiction is spiraling out of control. She stole $2,500 out of her mother's account. I was with her recently, and I need to keep an eye on my credit card to be safe.