Well after 8 years or so I have finally come to the realization that I have some sort of spending addiction!

But it's not what you think. This is what it is like:

I will get some 'idea' in my mind and use it to spend. All the 'ideas' are seemingly on the level - but when I really dig deep I realize I use the idea as a reason to spend.

For example, last year was my Bath and Body Works addiction. I would buy a bunch of stuff and they would give me coupons. I'd go back, buy more stuff, they'd give me more coupons. I'd keep doing this until I was getting so much free stuff I didn't know what to do with it. Did I need it? No. I'd reason that it was to save money on Christmas gifts but in reality I think it was just to spend.

Then I'd go on the 'organic' idea. Which is a good idea, and I am still going to buy some things organic. But I would use the idea to spend. Yes I have sugar. Is it organic? No - gotta go buy some. Shampoo, soap, toiletries? Yuck it has certain chemicals in it, gotta get new stuff. Off to the store. Yes some of it I'm glad I bought. LOTS of it was to spend. A very hard thing to admit. I've gone on binges - Dollar Tree, stuff is only a dollar. I come home with $30-40 worth of stuff every week. How is that saving? It's not, it's an excuse to spend.

I've found that I probably just need to stay out of stores and quit kidding myself that I 'need' stuff - or do I just really want to buy stuff. I need to find out what is lacking in my life that I need to buy to try to fill it up. I have the same problem with overeating.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I can relate. This year I'm going to stick to a list when I shop. I especially have a hard time in Dollar Tree or other places when I find a great deal. I need to stop and think "do I really need this or do the girls really need this?"

I need to keep book buying in check this year. I do find great deals at Half Price Books or other used book stores, but my girls do have enough books. My goal is to not buy any books for myself until I read the books I have at home already.

I don't think anything is lacking in my life. I just love it when I find a good deal. I just need to stop and put that good deal back on the shelf if I really don't need it.

I have gone through times of buying certain items too. I have a box of Candlelight candles from years ago. In the past I've gone through stints of buying dvd's, books, jewelry, etc. When dh went back to school a few years ago that stopped my shopping binges because our budget was tight. Now I just need to limit my time in Dollar Tree and book stores.

I can totally relate. I have become a gazillion times better than I was 2 years ago, but I still struggle when I am in a store. The saving grace for me is no credit cards. I will still buy things just to buy at times, at least now it's on a much smaller scale. The best remedy, stay out of stores as much as possible.
I, too, wonder what need it fulfills in me to spend money.


Leslie

Hi Stormy, same here.
with my spending, I think it made me feel important to be "able" to buy all these things"
I just got through giving away tons of things I bought that i kind of knew when i bought them, that I was never going to use...don't know why I bought them in the 1st place ??
SAME WITH FOOD...going to a meeting for the food eating really has helped, and with the spending, since being with Mommysavers, i really like seeing my savings GROW!!!
THAT'S MY MOTIVATION

__________________
***VIEW MY BLOG***
Thanks,
Bestmommysaver!

It sounds like my Gymboree addiction of three years ago. Those Gymbucks can really get you to "save" a lot of money!

__________________
Check out the Mommysavers Fan Page on Facebook
Frugal Tweets! Follow Mommysavers on Twitter
Preorder the NEW Mommysavers.com Book: Instant Bargains

I completely forgot about my Gymboree clearance rack addiction. They closed the store here a few years back, and that helped the clothing budget. Now the nearest one is 30 miles away. Great cute clothes that stand up to be hand-me-downs, but can be hard on the checking account.

I go through the same thing! I think I have an all or nothing personality. Like, with the food, I either eat an entire bag of chips or I have to stay completely away from them. Like I can't just stick to my list. I end up seeing something I had not intended to buy, but it's a great deal and so I "have" to get it to save money in the long run even if it means that right now I am spending my gas money or bill money! There aren't dollar tree stores in Oahu, Hawaii, so I have been forced to stop spending there, but now I am addicted to thrift stores. There is one on an army base that's open Tues and Fri and one on an air force base open M,W, and F. I find myself thinking that I "have" to go check them out and be there early or I will miss out on something great that I "need". It is like a compulsion. I can not go, but then I feel guilty and wonder what great deal I am missing. It is like by getting great deals I am making myself a better person with more value. Does that make any sense at all????

I do this also, look for an excuse to spend...like ooooh they have free shipping! I have no problem in the summer because I'm busy. In the winter it is a sport to see how much money I can "save".

Although it didn't cost me a fortune, I was stock piling from yardsales for awhile. I ended up having way too many toys and clothes for the kids. Less is more!! I've donated bags full of toys and clothing.

This was me too. I used to shop EVERY SINGLE DAY. It was out of control. I just had to stop all together. I still get a certain high when I shop though. I just learned to control myself.

I used to do this at the thrift store/garage sales, after all I was getting it really cheap. After watching an episode of Oprah with Valentino I started to only buy what I LOVE. that really changed my spending.

__________________
allgirls, mom to 3 girls