Signs of Compulsive Spending

Do you.

•  Incur unsecured debt to make a purchase?

•  Go to stores without a list of planned purchases and estimated costs?

•  Go to stores without knowing what funds are available to pay for the purchase?

•  Spontaneously purchase items displayed at the checkout stand?

•  Usually buy something "extra" at the grocery store or gas station?

•  Make major purchases without researching comparative features and prices?

•  Make major purchases without considering the long-term financial impact?

•  Browse mail-order catalogs, the Internet, or stores with no particular purchase in mind?

•  Watch and buy from a shopping channel?

•  Shop as one of your recreational activities?

•  Spend a lot of time thinking and talking about shopping and the great deals you've gotten?

•  Own multiple numbers of the same thing?

•  Have a closet full of unworn clothing, shelves of unread books, a storage space filled with unused tools, unused hobby equipment, or other unused items?

•  Rationalize your purchases because you got it used or on sale?

•  Buy things for other people when you can't rationalize buying them for yourself?

•  Spend money to please or impress other people?

•  Conceal purchases?

•  Frequently return purchases?

•  Feel regret, remorse, guilt, or shame after a purchase?

•  Feel elated after a purchase?

•  Feel let down after a shopping trip has ended?

•  Shop to cheer yourself up?

•  Shop to calm yourself down?

•  Lack money to pay for basics after purchasing less essential items?

•  Have a spouse, parent, or child who criticizes, or worries about, your spending?

Have you.

•  (or your friends) joked about your spending habits?

•  Neglected basic responsibilities because of time spent shopping?

•  Stolen items whether or not you had the money to buy them?

•  Believed that a given purchase would fix some aspect of your life?

•  Lost a relationship or job because of your spending?

If you answered yes to three or more of these signs, you may be a compulsive spender and Debtors Anonymous (D.A.) may be able to help you.

Reprinted with permission, as group #252, from Debtors Anonymous General Service Board, Inc. © 2004

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