8 Sure Signs you’re A Shopaholic

“When I shop, the world gets better, and the world is better, but then it’s not, and I need to do it again.”

Can you relate? Such are the words made popular by the main protagonist of the book-made-into-a-movie, Rebecca Bloomwood, from Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009). Although executed in the traditional rom-com formula, this movie portrayed what it’s like to be a true shopaholic. The moral of the story? Use your credit card irresponsibly, it WILL lead to debt and many other unfortunate events in your life.

Instead of watching your life turn to the worst direction (look up debt and bankruptcy), it’s time to do a little soul-searching and detect the signs; are you a shopaholic, or are you one in the making?

1. Retail therapy is mostly (always) your excuse.

Sounds so bad, but feels so good. A lot of people won’t come outright and admit to falling victim to this dreaded condition, but considering you’re reading this article—there’s a big chance that you understand how retail therapy works, and how it can be, at times, more destructive rather than the therapy it’s supposed to be. Let’s be real: who doesn’t love new stuff?

2. You have a love and hate relationship with credit card companies.

Right when you think you’re losing credit to spend, you’re always saved by the bell when you get more offers to increase your credit balance or to avail another credit card. You just never run out of ways to spend more money thanks to these credit card companies—and yet, when you find yourself unable to get out of debt, or if you find yourself facing multiple monthly dues, you suddenly abhor the little plastic cards of evil.

3. Speaking of credit cards, you’ve maxed out at least one (or two) of them.

You’re continuously on a search to lessen your credit card use. You leave them at home in your sock drawer, you cut some in half, you freeze some of them in a cup of water—you’re basically going through different extreme strategies just to avoid the temptation of using them so carelessly. And you know you have to because you’ve maxed your limit in a very embarrassing stuck-at-the-counter experience. You don’t want another repeat of that embarrassing “Your card is declined, sir/ma‘am” moment.

4. You’re evading debt collectors.

Similar to Miss Rebecca Bloomwood of Confessions, like your debt, you’ve accumulated so much lies just to avoid phone calls from debt collectors. Your reasons may vary from multiple deaths or sicknesses in the family, multiple and unrealistic out of town trips, and your home is mostly considered a haunted house by credit card companies because you’re never there. The lies are necessary until the next late monthly due.

5. You fear the day you have to cross borders just to survive.

You’re looking up other states where the cost of living is much cheaper. Actually, Mexico sounds like a good idea, no? If the consequences of your shopping is finally catching up to you that you’re considering go0ing AWOL from life in general, it’s important to trace the fruit back to its tree.

6. Your room can give the Hoarders show a run for its money.

Even if you think that this is an exaggeration, you love to “collect” stuff as watched in the now defunct Hoarders (2013). It’s not just the designer bags and clothes, it’s also the video game collection, expensive watches, figurines, comic character collectibles (and yes you have a statue in your room because it’s your passion), or hats. There are just so many things to buy in this world, and it’s either your room is filled with random paraphernalia of your “favorite stuff” or you literally have one room full of these “beloved” collections.

7. Normally passive friends/family have called you out on it at least once.

It’s easy to brush off comments from tactless members of your family or circle of friends, but when it’s the quiet ones who talk to you just to comment about how much of a shopaholic or a compulsive buyer you are, then you know there’s something wrong. It doesn’t help that you trust this person’s judgement—he or she speaks only when

necessary, after all. If it comes to this point, you know that people who actually voice out their concerns towards your spending habits have ignited such response for a reason.

8. You’re in denial.

It’s basically the first sign, but I’ve put it in last because if you’re still reading, you know we’ve hit the nail right on this one. The more you deny your shopaholic tendencies, the more you will only find yourself in deeper trouble when your compulsive spending accrues into a huge debt! Even if you say that you’ve got money to burn, you should know that you still have a spending problem. Shopping might not be dangerous to your physical health, but it is dangerous to your emotional and mental health. It’s still best if you unearth the reasons as to why you resort to shopping to feel better about whatever stress you’re going through.

If you think you’ve said yes to one or more of these signs, it’s best to take precaution now and fix your poor money management skills. However, if you think you’re already sinking in multiple bills you have no means of paying, I’m glad to offer you a debt relief option to ease your financial burdens. Check the rest of our debt settlement programs and call 1-877-97-DEBTS now!