Dealing with Emotional Spending
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Over the past decade credit facilities have become easier to obtain and we have seen the meteoric rise of booming credit card debt. The statistics inform us that the average US citizen has thousands of dollars of debt clocked up on their credit card. People appear to be spending money compulsively. Something is wrong? What is it? Psychologists tell us the compulsion to spend is linked to self-esteem issues. The question is what to do about it?
You Will Need:
- Internet Access.
- Phone.
- A note book or journal.
Step 1
Understand the problem. The media shapes thinking by telling us what to buy. Fashion trends develop and we feel left out if we are not part of the mode. Somehow if you are not wearing designer dresses you are inadequate, Then they give us credit cards and lots of credit with which to buy them. You have to be strong and very much your own person to withstand this consumer onslaught. Understand it is designed to make us spend money.
Step 2
Are you out of control? Do you go out on shopping binges particularly when you are feeling down, make a lot of impulse buys, get into debt and then feel guilty about what you have just done? If so recognize that you probably have an emotional spending disorder. This is a compulsion. In 2006 Stanford University claimed 6% or 17,000,000 of the US population was a shopaholic. Once you recognize it as a problem you are in a position to do something about it.
Step 3
The Conventional Approach (1). Go and see your Doctor, he will tell you that you are depressed and prescribe anti-depressants. This is not the way to go!
Step 4
Conventional Approach (2). Go to debt counseling. This might be useful as you will learn about money, be introduced to the concept of budgeting and be encouraged to attend lectures and seminars on the subject. If they suggest you sign up to a DMP or debt management program, resist and if necessary quit the counseling program.
Step 5
Seek out one of those self-help groups like Debtors Anonymous. These groups will help you come to terms with your problem. You can use the Yellow pages or Google to find a meeting near you. There is also a website “Shopaholics Anonymous”. This gives a good description of the disorder and what to do about it.
Step 6
Address the core issue. Psychologists explain that overspending is a compensatory pattern emanating from poor self-esteem. If this is the case the problem will rear its ugly head in other areas of life, too. Get help.
Step 7
EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique is a therapy developed by Gary Craig who claims that all negative states cause a disruption of the body’s energy system. He has devised a tapping technique where you address this energy disruption by tapping at the end points of the acupuncture meridians. It sounds bizarre but they have had some exceptional results with emotional and physical problems. Craig advises “to try it on everything”; it may not work but yet again the chances are it will. To find out more and to find an approved practitioner in your area go to the website: www.emofree.com
TIP: Seeking help with compulsive spending could easily move you from chaos to serenity. It’s worth a go, isn’t it?
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