by Mario Carini

Created on: October 10, 2010

28 million Americans find it hard to cut their spending habits. They are addicted to the shopping experience and buy well beyond what they can afford to pay. Shopping gives them a rush of excitement, the anticipation of ownership, whether they need what they buy or not.

Shopping, like overeating, is a habit. It fills a need. But once they buy, they soon feel remorse when the bills arrive and find they can't pay their debts. Some buy indiscriminately, while others buy purely because they can't resist the impulse to buy based on the colorful packaging and promotions those products come with.

Before shopaholics can get out of the habit, they need to make an assessment of the driving factor of what causes them to buy, then eliminate those causes. Like Alcoholics Anonymous, they need to be honest and acknowledge that they have a problem before they can take the first steps to get help on the road to recovery.

Those who have a problem exhibit certain traits that can lead to financial disaster down the road.

The Home as a Storage Depot

Shopaholics are likely to have piles of books they have never read, or clothes they've never worn. Music CDs and videos lie scattered around the house unused. It's just having the trappings of material wealth that gives most of them a feeling of comfort and control. They surround themselves with things they don't use.

The Shopping Mood

Shopaholics don't have a list of things they need to buy. They just head to the store whenever they feel angry or depressed and buy just to soothe their emotions. Unfortunately, this habit starts a vicious cycle of perpetual buying as the bills arrive. They feel worse, so they head out to buy more.

Shopaholics Make Excuses

Rather than face up to the fact that they have a problem, most out-of-control shoppers find excuses to justify their purchases. When challenged as to why they made a significant purchase, they rationalize their purchase. Many will make the excuse that they're only window shopping, but once inside the store, discipline goes out the window.

Family and Personal Conflicts

Sooner or later, the buying habits get noticed. Arguments over buying on credit threatens marital breakup. The habits of the shopper begins to affect the standard of living and everyone in the family.

Buying on Credit

Most addicted shoppers can't afford to pay cash for their purchases. This brings on the uncontrollable urge to whip out the plastic.

Shopaholics Rationalize Their Purchases

Addicted shoppers convince themselves they can afford to buy. They base their decisions on future income, on money that hasn't been earned or received. This thought gets them into trouble when the money does not come when they expect. A job loss and money that mysteriously disappeared from a savings account sends them into a financial tailspin.

Overspending at Every Shopping Trip

Media advertising portrays women strutting down the shopping mall loaded to the brim with gifts and packages while boasting about their successful purchases. This image sticks with the shopaholic. She wants to get that same feeling of euphoria and so buys more than is necessary or what she can afford. Of course overspending isn't limited to women.

Reluctance to Part With Purchases

Addicted shoppers are reluctant to let go of purchases that give them comfort and reassurance. Like a child with a favored doll, the shopaholic resents any suggestion to return newly purchased items or sell them to increase cash flow.

These traits of the shopaholic are universal and the habits need to be addressed before they seriously damage finances, relationships and reputation.

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