Confessions of a Shopaholic!!!!

Ok… So I’m SUPER excited about the new movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher!!!! I think she is hilarious!!!! You have to go see the movie when it comes out on Feb 13th, 2009!

But funny enough 1 in 20 of us can’t control our urge to shop, even at the expense of our job, our marriage, our family and our finances!

So how to do know if you have this “Designer Disease?”

Take this Quiz:

True or False? Evaluate the following statements:

1. When I am feeling depressed, I usually go shopping.
2. I spend a lot of money that I do not have on things that I do not need.
3. I get a rush when I make a purchase, but I “crash” soon afterwards.
4. I have closets full of clothes that I have never worn, and countless gadgets that I have never used.
5. I often feel reckless and out of control when I shop.
6. I lie to my friends and family about how much money I spend.
7. Even though I feel very distraught about my debt, I still shop.
8. I feel emotionally upset and disturbed by my own shopping habits.
9. After a big shopping trip, I sometimes feel disoriented and depressed.
10. My shopping has caused problems in my personal relationships in one way or another.

If you answered “True” for four or more of the above statements, it is possible that you have a real problem with compulsive shopping.

SOOOOO, know what do you do?

(1) Get rid of your credit cards, checkbooks, and ATM cards before you go shopping. Use only cash.
(2) If you spot something that you would like to purchase, never allow yourself to purchase it on the spot. Instead, walk away and give yourself a “mandatory waiting period” Put it on hold and If you still want the item in a few days, then you can go back and make your thought-out purchase.
(3) Make a budget and put it on paper. Give yourself some “mad money” for each month, and do not allow yourself to purchase anything that is not in the budget.
(4) Write down everything you purchase for two weeks; groceries, gas for your car, the electric bill, and even that candy bar from the vending machine! This will make your more conscience of where your hard-earned dollars are going.
(5) If you are overwhelmed with debt, contact a credit-counseling agency. There are several non-profit organizations whose goal is to get your out of debt.

HANG IN THERE!!!!

XOXO,

Sarah Rogers