Archive for the ‘Battling Shopping Addiction’ Category

Confessions of a Deranged Shopaholic

Posted by Aloysa on January 2nd, 2013

Hi,

I am Aloysa, and I am a shopaholic. But you already know this.

The other day, one of my friends asked me if I knew how much money I spent on shopping in 2012. I was clueless. But being curious by nature, I pulled up all my bank account statements and did some research. I added, I subtracted and, finally, I got the number.

I single handily spent $8,676 on clothes, shoes, handbags and make-up in 2012. This is where you are supposed to gasp and say something like this “She is a sick, sick person.” Guess what? I have to agree(…)

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Posted in Battling Shopping Addiction Tags: 37 Comments »

Why I Don’t Say “No” to Myself When I Want To Spend Money

Posted by Aloysa on October 22nd, 2012

I can easily say “no” to other people. But I have to admit that it did take me a long time to learn to say “no” to others. Now, I don’t even think twice. If there is something I don’t want to be a part of, I simply say “no.” Sometimes I don’t even offer any explanation.

However, saying “no” to myself is the hardest thing of all. For a few obvious reasons:

I love myself
I am quite selfish
I don’t want to deprive myself
I want to feel good
I love spending money

In spite of the fact that I do realize that my finances(…)

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How My Shopping Addiction Almost Made Me a TV Star

Posted by Aloysa on October 9th, 2012

Almost doesn’t count.

My story goes like this: I was contacted by three TV talk shows this summer. I was interviewed over the phone numerous times. Nothing else happened. End of story.

Jeff Probst: Marriage Problems

In July I got an email from the Jeff Probst’s talk show. It was a very short and nice message, asking me if I would be interested to discuss my post on GRS Why I Lied About Money, and the possibility of coming on the show.

At that very moment, I wanted to discuss not just one post but my whole life. I quite vividly pictured myself on(…)

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Posted in Battling Shopping Addiction, Oddities of Life Tags: , 18 Comments »

Battling Shopping Addiction: Making Behavioral Changes

Posted by Aloysa on June 20th, 2012

The other day one of my good blogger friends, Joe at Retire By 40, wrote a post titled Finally, A Pill For Shopaholics. According to his article, a pill that is used right now to treat Alzheimer’s might curb shopaholic tendencies as well. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an easy solution in the form of a small pill? Take a pill, and instead of spending money on stuff that you don’t need, you start a new life of a conscious consumer and a thrifty saver.

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I am a(…)

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Posted in Battling Shopping Addiction Tags: , , , , 36 Comments »

How To Get Out of the Closet Rut

Posted by Aloysa on April 25th, 2012

I tend to do a lot of shopping when the seasons change. This is when things get out of control: I attack malls, one store after another, trying to find that perfect outfit, that one top that will change me forever. Months later, when fall turns into winter, I re-evaluate my wardrobe, ultimately ending up with donation bags stuffed with outfits that were supposed to be impeccable.

Spring of 2012 started with no exception. Last Saturday I methodically examined my current tops and skirts, shoes and handbags. The conclusion, that I achieved after this thorough evaluation, was gloomy.

Ever had that mundane(…)

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Curb Your Spending with Pinterest

Posted by Aloysa on April 18th, 2012

Yes, you’ve read it right and no, I have not lost my mind. I believe that you can curb your spending with Pinterest.

If you’ve been reading this blog for some time now, you know then that I am a shopper and a spender. Because of my shopping and spending habits, I stayed away from Pinterest as long as I could. I viewed it as a huge temptation, a Pandora’s box that once opened will drag me into a constant spending binge.

However, a few weeks ago, my own curiosity overpowered me, I succumbed to it, and signed up for Pinterest.

What is(…)

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Posted in Battling Shopping Addiction Tags: , , , , 29 Comments »

Dealing with Wants: How I failed my No-Buy Challenge

Posted by Aloysa on April 4th, 2012

This post was featured in the following carnivals:
Fin. Carn. for Young Adults at 20′s Finances
Carnival of Retirement at Investor’s WatchDog
Yakezie Carnival at Money Q&A
Carnival of MoneyPros at Novel Investor
Carnival of Financial Planning at Darwin’s Money

Remember I was on a self-induced three month no-buy challenge? Here is my confession: I failed it miserably in March.

People say that the first two months are the most difficult, and then the miracle happens. You get out of the habit of wanting things. Maybe for some of us it works. It definitely does not work for me. If anything, the longer I go without shopping,(…)

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A Retailer’s Worst Nightmare

Posted by Aloysa on February 27th, 2012

It is called buyer’s remorse, and it used to be my best friend for many years.

Are you familiar with the feeling that slowly turns from euphoria into a queasy sensation of concern, guilt and self-doubt? Do you hear a haunting voice in your head that says “Why did you buy that? You act like a selfish bitch with no consideration for your family. Return your purchases. NOW!” At this you reach a high level of anxiety that doesn’t let you sleep, and makes you toss and turn, and eat yourself alive for spending money on something you don’t need.

The next(…)

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Posted in Battling Shopping Addiction Tags: , , 32 Comments »
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