Make Sure You Control Your Spending

By Author: James Hunaban
Total Articles: 37
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It has been widely reported that spending in the USA is out of control! American consumers are more than $600 billion in credit card debt alone. We are a society that requires everything immediately, with no real thought to how it we'll pay for it afterwards. A lot of experts are concerned with the ease in which Americans can get high levels of credit, and that this is turning them into shopping junkies.

Spending money (even if we do not have it), is a real buzz. Pulling out the gold or platinum card makes us feel significant and powerful. Whilst actually overspending may cause you to lose your sense of balance, well being and rationalization.

So, how do you know if you have crossed the line from over-indulging to compulsive shopping? Once shopping becomes the sole activity that causes you to feel good, it might be the time to go cold turkey. It is one matter to purchase a new pair of shoes occasionally when you are feeling blue, and another when you have to hit the shopping mall for a hit just to get through the day. When every fresh buy brings you a sudden rush of exhilaration and joy, making it essential ...
... to indulge in just one additional item you do not need, your body has turned the rush of serotonin from your brain's neurotransmitters into an habit-forming chemical response to shopping.
In brief: when shopping gets you high, it's time to call a halt. To see if your shopping sprees may be more than just a day out, Debtor's Anonymous advises asking yourself these key questions:

· Is the reason I shop to make myself feel better, happier, or more liked by those around me?
· Do I regularly conceal my buys from my friends and family?
· Do I have concerns on how I'll pay for my buys, but purchase them anyway?
· Do I regularly spend more than I earn?
· Do I often feel shame or guilt after i've bought something?
· Am I using money put aside for bills to buy unneeded items?
· Do I go into a panic at the thought of living without my credit cards?
· Do I often use one credit card to pay off another?
· Do I live everyday in constant chaos and always fret about money?

If you replied yes to any of the questions above, it might be time to look for both fiscal and emotional guidance. Therapy can help you sort out the feelings behind your need to buy love and admiration, while credit counseling can help you sort out your financial tangle and get back on track.

How can you get rolling on the road to financial freedom? Begin here:

Admit that you're hooked on shopping. Denial is a strong incentive to keep on shopping. Have a good look at your bills. Are they reasonable? Build a list of everything you owe - regardless of how big or small the amount is. Now, look around your home. Are you truly living the lifestyle of somebody with so much debt? Most of us are surprised at how little substance we have accumulated to go with this huge debt.
Locate a credit counselor. Learn to spend money more reasonably. Make a budget and adhere to it.

Settle lower bills first. This will give you some degree of success, and the encouragement to continue.

Discover new ways to feel good. Physical exercise is known to bring out the same degrees of feel good chemicals into your body as shopping. Get yourself high on physical exercise as an alternative.

Get back-up. Chat with friends acquaintances, family, or an adept counselor. Link up with an over-spender's support group if necessary, but be certain to surround yourself with folk who can empathize with your addiction, and support your recovery.

Try to learn to be happy with what you already have.

Control your spending, discover fresh ways to make yourself happy, and oneday you might open up the postbox to discover all of your outstanding debt has been paid in full, and you are finally debt free.