Spent way too much money, how do I break this habit?

I recently received a double paycheck for going to professional development. I have plans of putting a down payment on a house within the next 6 months.

I blew through $2,000 in 3 days on online shopping.

I was always in denial about being diagnosed with Bipolar II, now I'm not.
I started on 25 mg of Lamictal almost 2 weeks ago. However, my impulsiveness is still there. I'm not manic, as I haven't been overly happy. If anything, I experience lows still. Not deep lows like before though.

How do I break this habit? It's making me feel tidbits of shamefulness and guilt

——there must be a shopaholics anonymous. u could give yr credit card to a friend who is clear on yr goals, take it off online sites and not have the number written down. I am bp2 but very cheap. Yes I’ve felt those endorphins rush when shopping. I just bought the perfect house and it’s better than having a rental place full of stuff I don’t need. A house is a solid investment, tho another chance to spend too much.

Ugh! I wish I knew. I get this problem too when I get hypomanic/manic even though we have no money to spend. I am starting to do a bit better, only because hubby is now closely perusing my credit card statement.

When I get the “ OMG I have to buy something “ I take 20 buck to a dollar store and load up , it gives me my fix !

One thing I would say is that compulsive shopping (which I have. I used to go to shopahaulics anononymous) wont completely go away when you get bipolar under control. I first started shopping compulsively when I was hypomanic and I never broke the habit so I do it when depressed too. I have 100 bucks left and I got my monthly disabilty money 4 days ago. I haven't talked to my therapist about this issue, idk why. But compulsive spending can be apart of bipolar, but it's not all bipolar I guess I'm trying to say.

25 mg of Lamictal is still quite a low dose, so I wouldn't expect it to be helping just yet. (Just a caveat -- Do NOT increase it any faster than your prescriber's titration schedule, even if you feel impatient to see it work. Lamictal takes time.)

As far as not spending money, which I don't have anyway, I find not having a credit card pretty effective. (That and knowing if I can't make rent, we'd be homeless on the street -- yeah, that's a good motivator(!))

Another recommendation is to freeze your card in a bunch of water in the freezer. Inhibits the impulse factor. Not as helpful with online if you memorized your number. (If you haven't, don't!)

Is there anyone you can hand your card over to till these urges pass?

You've got a worthy financial goal. Maybe put a picture of a house in or on your wallet? And/or on your computer monitor?

Like my therapist would say, "It's the thrill of the hunt!" When I'm up it's exhilarating; when I'm down it's like comfort food. Neither one is good.

I have a lot of "wish lists," especially on Amazon. For clothing sites I put it in the shopping cart, print out a copy, and empty the cart. I don't make any purchases until I run it past somebody, usually my husband. I wait at least a few days until the rush wears off.

You have to learn how to save, at whatever it costs.
Think of how many people you're making happy with your spending.
The American economy depends on people like us. Feel proud the next time you bust some plastic.
Your Country is counting on your spending. It's a matter of national security.

Be happy. Cheers.

IMO as long as you can be manic, you will never be able to break this habit. Freeze your credit card in water. Give your credit card to a friend with instructions. Remember to delete this card from all your online accounts. Use credit cards with low spending limits. When you are able to when not manic, place some money each month into, what is is called, a prepaid card? Then when manic, you will get some satification spending the money. Once the money runs out, it is gone. No more money to spend. Purchase items with a liberal return policy.

I managed to save some money by investing in items that I can liquidate for significant amounts of money. Collecting these items is a hobby of mine. If I purchase correctly, which is difficult with impulse purchases, I can get most of my money back. What is nice is it takes months to sell each item. One example is stamp or coin collecting.

I collect firearms, in particular antique firearms. These are very difficult to sell, but they provide me with allot of satisfaction even when not manic. For example, I have one in excellent shape from the 1770s, during the time of Benjamin Franklin and when the Constitution of the United States was established. Another newer firearm has been intricately embossed with gold inlay with ivory grips by a current well known artist. All of these are almost impossible to sell. Every now and then I take them out to look at these attractive, difficult to find firearms. Of course there are my current dated firearms which are easier to sell, kind of like my bank account. They still take months to sell.