Shopping is a passion. Sometimes we cannot wait for the new season to come only to go shopping for some new dresses and accessories and revive out the closet. This makes us feel better and sexier and it is something every woman should do from time to time. But not always. Have you seen the movie “Shopaholic? You definitely do not want to end up like the girl from the movie, to ruin your entire life just because you do not know when to stop buying. Many people do not realize they have a problem, like most of the addicts. So, here is how to find out whether you have an actual problem with buying too many things you do not need, how to “cure” yourself if this is so, and how to make money stay in your wallet longer.
1 Identify your problem
The first step for solving a problem is to realize that you actually have one. Just think about it? Do you spend most of your money for shopping? Do your family and friends keep telling you you should stop borrowing money from them? Are your credit cards constantly reaching their limit? Then you definitely need some help. Remember that finding the roots of the problem is the first step towards solving it.
2 Come up with a plan
If you really want to spend less money on things you do not actually need then think of a plan. Start with a simple one. Do not order yourself completely to stop buying things. This will have the negative effect actually. It is like stopping eating chocolate. The more you try to avoid it, the more you think about it. And you will end up stuffing yourself with chocolate. It is the same with shopping. Buy one or two things a month. This way you won’t spend all of your money for unnecessary things, but you will also not starve from shopping hunger.
3 Try to find another way to escape
Find yourself another hobby to forget about all the clothes and accessories you cannot have at the moment. Stop reading only fashion magazines. Get familiar with some more serious literature. Think of all the children that starve around the world and you complain that you do not have enough money to buy a purse you do not actually need. You can also start doing some kind of sport, or something you have always wanted to try. This way you will spend most of your energy and will forget about shopping for some time.
4 Keep track of your spending
Get a notebook or a journal where to write every amount of money that you have spent during the day. This way you will keep track of your money and won’t go on spending. Many people do one common mistake. When they receive their wages in the beginning of the month they feel like they have millions and start spending huge amounts of money. When you have a notebook where to write everything, you will notice when your money starts, finishing and you will thus stop spending.
5 Learn to control your urge for shopping
Think of a rule, you have to obey. Write it down somewhere you can actually see it, it could be in the journal, or it could be on your fridge. This rule will be for how much money to spend each month on shopping unnecessary things. If you find it too hard, you can start with a bigger amount of money and then make it smaller. The next three months you can spend $100 on clothes and accessories, but the three months after those, make yourself spend only $50 on clothes or makeup. You will be surprised how much your wallet will be grateful to you in the end of each month.
6 Learn the difference between a need and a want
Imagine that you have just bought a shirt that you did not quite like, but you needed it for work. A few days later you see another one and you immediately fall in love with it. So most of you would buy it and will forget about the first shirt. Sometimes you should forget about buying things you do not actually need even if you do like it a lot. With time you will forget about this desire of yours and you will be grateful to yourself that you did not fall into the trap of temptation.
7 Talk with your family and friends
When a person has a problem they often rely on their family or friends to help them find a solution to the problem. You can start first by listening to their advice. They can give you some great ideas where to actually spend most of your money. Think about your future. Will you have a place to live in the next ten years? Wouldn’t you rather save some of your money every month and then go for a vacation or be able to buy a home for yourself instead of spending money on things you won’t need after a month or two? Be smart about your money and listen to the people around you. They just want to help you.
