What safeguards do you have for spending

Tonight, I placed an order on Amazon for an item that I needed and I noticed an ad for an item that was related to a previous purchase. When I bought that item, I really thought that I needed it and that it was a great reason to spend the money that I spent. I then turned my thoughts to an unopened package that I purchased a couple of weeks ago. I didn't need the item, but I thought that it would make a great present. I then began to reflect on the countless times that I've gone to see my T and agreed to return items that had been purchased out of compulsion.

What I've noticed about myself is that even when I tell myself that I don't need an item, or I really think that the purchase is justified, I don't see myself as being impulsive with my purchases. I can't recognize, in the moment, that my mood is elevated. A week later, I realize that I've spent money that I shouldn't have spent. I'm not quite sure how to protect myself from myself. I'm already working 2 jobs; however, my second job is in retail and I have managed to get a credit card and spend a couple of thousand dollars. I'm keeping the job because it helps me get though the month when my one paycheck runs out.

What do you do to keep from spending? How do you protect yourself from your hypomania?

Do you have trusted family or friends you can let hold your credit card ... so you couldn’t impulse it? Certainly delete all payment info, so if you do see something you’d have time to get your credit card or even using debit card ... just having to enter your payment info might give you a few moments to think do I really need X ?

Maybe take a break from visiting any website that sells items or anything else. As far as purchases that are mandatory, make a shopping list of only the necessities and stick to it, if at all possible. I know that's hard, believe me. I'm going to also write on my list "Think hard before buying anything not on the list!"

I am a frugal person, in most respects, except when it comes to food/cooking and related supplies. I have recently started a challenge for myself to buy groceries as efficiently as possible (spend only X amount, and use coupons and sales to pay a minimum). My manic mind loves challenges and projects. For me, the key is to get myself very involved in ones that do more good than harm.

Grrrrrrrrrr there are a few

Get rid of credit cards, or call and ask for a very low credit limit (i.e. $1000) so you have something in case of emergencies. Remove your credit card information from sites like Amazon so if you want to buy something you have to go through the hassle of re-entering it all again. Sometimes you don't have your card on hand and this can be good. Start using cash. Instead of using the debit card, carry around cash and spend down from that. Have a real conversation about your money goals, short term and long term. What's something you want in the future that money can help you get? Getting in the habit of setting aside money can be hard but also very useful. Get separate bank accounts at different banks. Or keep most of your money in savings so your checking account is smaller. Avoid online shopping at work or when you're bored. Consider taking a shopping buddy with you when you go to the store. Put an item on Amazon into your basket and keep it there for 1-2 weeks before actually buying it. Sometimes the impulsivity to buy it will have gone away and you won't feel you need it anymore.

Those are all things that have worked for me.

Great ideas, quietlylost! I'm going to echo the idea others have mentioned -- staying off shopping sites. I once went on a pretty substantial eBay binge. I had to stay off the site to break it (as I didn't realize how out of control it was at the time it was happening). Also just avoiding shopping in general. And window shopping is straight out. It's far less likely to want what you don't see. Seeing it is when the justification starts for me. I don't have a credit card, so it is impossible for me to spend more than I have (which is not to say I couldn't spend too much, but still, it's a good limiting strategy).

Limiting spending will keep excess crap to have to deal with later, too.

Good luck!

I spent over $5000 one year on Amazon. I also went through $120,000. I think I have some sort of problem, don't all of you? My first action has been to restrict my purchases to what I will regularly use, The next step is to restrict my spending to what I actually need. Several weeks ago, I realized that I have everything I need and want. This has helped me. Now hypomania throws a wrench into this. One time I froze my credit cards in a block of ice. Another is I stopped carrying my credit cards, and erased all credit card information from those online stores, and from the autofill on my iPad. I am thinking of placing my credit cards in the bank security box. What I think is best is to give my credit cards to a trusted friend. That may work. Also, I am thinking of keeping one on me with a $500 or $1000 limit. That should take care of most of my needs, like an emergency fund. The worst thing I did is get a revolving loan from my bank using my home as collateral, Now along with my credit cards, I now owe $60,000. So because of this, I am having to work at a store, This is difficult on me. I also keep up on my jed changes to keep me from being manic. I have a responsive pdoc. This is essential to me.

I hope this helps.

My (hypo)manic spending is usually impulse when I'm out and about. I keep my credit card and my debit card locked up and don't carry them around with me when I go out so I'm pretty much limited to buying things in cash which I don't have a lot of on hand either. It also helps me to have plans with the money like "I'm going skiing so I need $29 on me on Wednesday so if I want to go skiing I can't spend any"