The deceptively metal-sounding Black Friday approaches. For a lot of us, this means hitting the malls with the intention of buying Christmas gifts and ending up binging at Sephora on eye brighteners and $40 dollar tweezers that you don't need and can't afford.
According to a new study from Newsweek, compulsive shopping -- or "shopaholism" -- is a very common problem that can stem from boredom, keeping up with the Joneses and depression -- which can hit all of us around the holidays. They spoke to Avis Cardella, author of "Spent: Memoirs of a Shopping Addict," about the slippery slope from spending too much to compulsive buying.Sure, shopping is therapeutic in small amounts, but it can become a hobby to fill the void and escape feelings or situations we don't want to deal with. The problem is spending when you can't afford the price tag after rent and incidentals are paid. Here are a couple of tips to avoid over-shopping during the tempting holiday season. Your credit score and central nervous system will thank you.
Shop Your Closet.In These Tough Economic Times, it's hip to be practical and really evaluate what you already have. Make a list of items you "need" and shirk away from the "wants." If you have 25 American Apparel T-shirts and are short on sweaters, invest in a good cardigan and mix and match with your wardrobe. NO ONE WILL KNOW BUT YOU.
Netflix, Kindle and Library Cards. Don't rush out to the movies and plunk down $12 for every new release. Get very particular on what needs to be seen on the big screen with an audience and what can wait for Netflix. If you have a problem with a book addiction, join a library and save loads on spending. If you must have the new John Grisham, download to your green and cost-effective e-reader -- you tend to save over $10 on new releases.
Get a Hobby. Too many of us think of shopping as a legitimate hobby, and unless we're heiresses, it's just not realistic or practical. Start following a sports team, join a book group, start a Tumblr, take up knitting, learn a programming language. Get in shape (jogging is free!) and incentivize yourself with a new pair of jeans you can afford. No one is saying shopping is the enemy, just compulsive shopping that comes from a Dark Place.
Take a Long, Hard Look at Your Budget. Make a list of the expenses you have every month, come rain or shine: rent, transportation, phone, electric, and groceries. Determine precisely what is left over and figure out what you're going to have to spend on incidentals. It's sobering to realize that new sweater means no happy hour for a month, or rolling Ramen-stylez for a fortnight.
Hide Yo Debit Card, Hide Yo Visa. This trick can be dangerous if you tend to need lots of emergency funds (you know -- bail money, taxis home from remote motels), but consider going totally or almost plastic-free. Get rid of your ATM card and only take out money AT your bank branch, so you can never spend more cash than you have on hand. It's radical, for sure, but it works.
thanks for the info, ill be sure to make sure i dont overspend!
ReplyDeleteI was away for the weekend, happy to read you again ;)!
ReplyDeleteI'm too poor to overspend, but great advise. =)
ReplyDeletegood points!
ReplyDeletegood thing i haven't go a credit card =)
It's good to get a hobby like blogging because it's free and fun :)
ReplyDeleteyou are one of my favourite blogers
ReplyDeletegreat advice thanks, following in the hope of more :D
ReplyDeleteI have no clue what eye brighteners are or a sephora. I guess I'm lucky to be a guy.
ReplyDeleteThe title of the last tip made me laugh. I do agree that if you don't carry a credit card with you, then obviously you can't use it. However, this tip may lead one to carry large sums of cash, which could be an unsafe practice.
ReplyDeleteFor the third tip, it really depends on what hobby you take up. Some can be really expensive (customizing a car, constantly upgrading your PC), so it may actually be better to just make some small purchases now and then to treat yourself.
I do like the tip about making a list of expenses. It's good to plan ahead, that way you can be sure to not stress over spending so much money on luxuries that you don't have enough for the necessities.
Great list!
I avoid needless spending by not having any money.
ReplyDelete:(
Three cheers for Netflix!
ReplyDeleteyeah if i had the money to overspend
ReplyDeleteGreat, this is good info :)
ReplyDeleteCool, this is good info! :)
ReplyDeletehiding my card doesnt sound too smart haha
ReplyDeleteStreaming-only Netflix just dropped from 8.99 to 7.99 too!
ReplyDeleteI've really been looking at an e-reader lately. However, there is nothing more satisfying than finishing a great novel and being able to put in on the shelf of all the completed books.
ReplyDeleteI personally dont go shopping on the holidays. I don't make much money, so i dont buy anything on christmas. Also, I only buy what I need. I never go randomly looking for something i never thought I needed before. That is considered excess- regardless of whether or not I use it.
splendid post
ReplyDeletesplendid info sire
ReplyDeleteor you can just be a cheap bastard like me and buy my clothes at liquidation outlets (7 bucks a t-shirt)...
ReplyDeleteI never go shopping on Black Friday.
ReplyDeleteBecause I'm white.
Haha j/k :P