[annielovesbacon]

I am in between jobs right now... I am doing a bit of freelance work but it doesn't bring in much money. My new job starts on June 1. My problem is I'm a compulsive shopper, I drop money without thinking about it, I have no self control... this is NOT an option now, my bank account is running on fumes and I have to budget every last dollar for the next two months... yet that is still not enough to motivate me to save my money. Just yesterday I bought two swimsuits I don't need.

How do y'all stop yourself from reckless shopping??

[pirilin]

I'm a shopaholic like you. The only way to control it is buying absolutely nothing for a given amount of time.
Nothing at all. Not even things you need. Or think you need.
I threw away four pairs of flipflops that were a little worn out and spent 4 months on the last pair.
Didn't buy any. Not even cheap ones at the supermarket. And I really needed to change them. I washed them every night. For four months.
Now I came into a little money and bought a few pairs. Four months later.
That works for me. Builds character. Makes you feel proud.
Buy nothing. As in nada until your job situation comes to fruition.

[amicus_curiae]

Originally Posted by annielovesbacon

I am in between jobs right now... I am doing a bit of freelance work but it doesn't bring in much money. My new job starts on June 1. My problem is I'm a compulsive shopper, I drop money without thinking about it, I have no self control... this is NOT an option now, my bank account is running on fumes and I have to budget every last dollar for the next two months... yet that is still not enough to motivate me to save my money. Just yesterday I bought two swimsuits I don't need.

How do y'all stop yourself from reckless shopping??

I don’t. I’m in your boat and, if we are to sink, we will sink together.

I know that my bank will charge me $36 for each overdraft and pay the ‘overdraft,’ if it’s less than $2,000. I’m not running on fumes, I’m swallowing gasoline. I’m in a danger zone.

My newest spending sprees revolve around food. I have a fear of running out of food and I spend $500 or more to assure myself that I will have enough to eat during the month. And I bought two new $185 shirts (short-sleeve linen/cotton — for Summer).

I’m as anxious as you to find out how folks might handle this risky behavior. I would turn my money management to those that I trust but I don’t trust anyone.

[Asteya]

Cash.i also like simplicity, I try and use up what I can.... doesn’t mean I don’t go over the limit at times, I love return policies.

I am a massive overspender, however, I am also very lazy- which comes as an advantage in this situation.

I use amazon a lot, and most of my overspending comes from seeing things on the front page (new out or special offers)

so what I try and do now is think about what I need, go on amazon and buy it, then log out of the site.

it's easier for me to just log out of the website, than it is for me to go back to search and type something else in (yes, I am so, so, lazy!)

this doesn't work all the time, because their's still the issue of passing the main page to get to what you want (plus the emails that suggest products, which I'm always buying)

recently too, I am going through a phase of buying multiple copies of the same product just because they are their, so I suppose it's losing it's affectiveness a little

but it's the best way I've found.

budgeting and lists do nothing for me. if anything they make me more likely to overspend

I do this when things are not ok, and shopping makes things seem normal.

As for what to do, do you have a therapist t talk to?

[Shazerac]

The only way I can control spending sprees is to go cold turkey. I don’t look at Amazon. I don’t go shopping. Even Facebook is dangerous for me because it has so many ads for cool stuff tailored for me.

[Tucson]

I am struggling with this problem right now. I will put away my credit card and keep one with a low credit limit. I cannot have cash of any significant amount in my hands because I find myself still buying things with it that I do not need. I also find myself with this money eating out more. So I will not have more than ten twenty dollars in my wallet at any time. Do not know what else to do.

[Guiness187055]

My wife controls all of the banking. I get a $60 a week allowence. It works for us.

[Unrigged64072835]

Short of freezing your cards in a big block of ice--no.

[~Christina]

What about buying gift cards for your self ? Like put X amount for groceries , one for gas , pay some bills early so that you just do not have disposable money to spend.

When I get that itch I HAVE to buy stuff I take 20 bucks to the everything is a dollar store. It’s amazing about the actual good stuff they have.

Hope things work out for you

[annielovesbacon]

Originally Posted by Asteya

Cash.i also like simplicity, I try and use up what I can.... doesn’t mean I don’t go over the limit at times, I love return policies.

haha, I love return policies soon, my friend has invited me to a 70s themed birthday party, so I will buy something ridiculous and leave the price tags on and return it the next day

Originally Posted by key tones

I do this when things are not ok, and shopping makes things seem normal.

As for what to do, do you have a therapist t talk to?

I do have a therapist, sadly I can't see her for a few more weeks

Originally Posted by ~Christina

What about buying gift cards for your self ? Like put X amount for groceries , one for gas , pay some bills early so that you just do not have disposable money to spend.

When I get that itch I HAVE to buy stuff I take 20 bucks to the everything is a dollar store. It’s amazing about the actual good stuff they have.

Hope things work out for you

That is a really good idea! Thank you so much.