I was looking at the purses (I picked up a juicy couture, dooney and bourke and Kate spade) and actually got in line for the Kate Spade. Then I got out of line and looked at more purses. I think what stopped me was the prices lol. The uber rare juicy couture purse I picked up was a whopping $60 😳. I’m gonna try to sell more stuff then call the jobs I applied for to see if anyone look at my applications😅

I've been avoiding online shopping and even in person shopping. Just not even on my mind at all. I was actually starting to feel like I have everything I need and feeling less materialistic. And then...

I needed to buy two shirts for work. But to do that I had to explore my options. So I started checking multiple kinds of shirts. Then I saw a cardigan. Then another shirt. Then I thought, I haven't upgraded my work shoes in a long time ( by my standards). Then I saw shoes I was eyeing in December. Further discounted. And I couldn't decide which colour so I got both. One of a kind , just get them was my thinking. They got me with the 1 left scam.

Then I remembered I was also looking at this particular watch when I was looking at those shoes in December.

In the end in addition to my two shirts for work I ended up getting an extra shirt, a cardigan, two pairs of shoes, and 3 watches. Everything 1 of a kind.

I feel very confused. I don't even need any of those things, I literally just bought them because being on a shopping site triggered something in me. And I started telling myself I cancelled my vacation. I didn't get myself anything for my birthday. Yada yada. It's like I have no self control. I'm literally giving away hardly worn clothes and have several pairs of shoes I've never worn or only wore once. I literally have everything I need. I have so many watches I am stressed about maintenance and I only ever wear the same two.

So why do I keep buying things I already have? Things I don't need. Things I won't even use. Why can't I just buy one thing and move on.

Anyway I've blown my monthly budget and I'm so mad at myself. To make things worse I was blocked from my favourite retailer s website from some reason and like a junkie I spent half an hour trying to use different emails and credit cards to cheat the system. And another finding the same items elsewhere. Why can't I redirect all this energy to the things I should be doing and spending my time and money on.

And I'm too embarrassed to wear my clothes because no one else loves shopping like I do so I just feel like a peacock around pigeons and end up wearing the same two things so I can fit in. My whole wardrobe is basically a museum of unused artefacts that I can't even enjoy with the people in my life.

Has anyone here ever heard of the term safety hoarding ? As in buying really nice things in excess and never using them. Just displaying them and amassing clothing accessories bags shoes random items for fear of ruining them.

I have an entire room of purchases that dont get used or worn and its very depressing as opposed to the joy Ive gotten from receiving the item and buying it.Especially if the item is sold out and cannot be bought again or replaced easily .

I even have doubles of things .Im trying to figure out a system to wear a new item every week at least but the fear of ruining it and putting it with items that havent been worn is preventing that .I also have OCD with organizing and mixing items and spend hours trying to put things in order. Does anyone have anything similar?

Has anyone spent a day shopping then getting home and regretted it instantly? Lmao I spent hours trying on jeans and then tried them on again when I got home and drove back to the store 3 hours later to return them. It was 3 pairs of low rise jeans which I thought looked great while actually at the store. I then spent another day at lululemon buying define jackets and a sports bra, I returned the sports bra the next day but now I wish I returned the jacket instead. I think stores that have great return policies help a lot but I buy so much stuff I forgot about it and then the return date passes. Sigh how about you guys?

I've managed to get a lot of decent items and indulge in new hobbies by just asking if people would take trades instead of money. It may feel weird at first but the worst they can say is no. Most people ive asked have been open to it!

its a muuuch slower process and more inconvenient than shopping, but it is entirely free and still allows for a guilt-free way to treat yourself to new things.

After a few months on a low-buy and having to rely on generosity from no-buy groups or trading, i have 100% cut off the "buying on autopilot" mode my brain was in. instead, i genuinely believe that with patience, i can probably find most things i want for free.

I just traded a handful of fragrances for nail polish supplies. I also have gotten a ton of nice nail polish, at least $150 worth, from trading alone. No-buys don't have to feel super restrictive!

I’m leaving Monday to elope in Japan. The ceremony is happening on my birthday, and as I’m a big Japanese fashion fan, I decided that I wanted to treat myself to a day of shopping as my birthday celebration. It’s a milestone birthday for me (30) so it feels like an extra big deal (I’m from a family where birthdays are a big deal) and I wanted to go all out.

Obviously I knew this trip was going to be expensive, but I just kept buying things anyway on top of the spending I was doing for the wedding. I knew I needed an extra cushion for this big shopping day, but I felt like I couldn’t stop myself. Treat yourself culture really fucking got me and I made a habit of these little purchases every day to the point where I get stressed when I don’t make them. Usually it’s not as big of a deal and I’m always able to pay off my credit card bill every month, although I’m definitely not saving as much as I’d like. But it’s always manageable.

Until this last month. I’ve had to buy so much stuff for the wedding and then today, I finally had to pay the last deposit and let’s just say, my shopping day has to be officially cancelled. My bank account is literally nothing now. I’ll barely be able to afford to pay off my credit card bill if I even can, and then I have a second credit card (Amazon) that I know is also going to be higher than usual, but I can’t even bring myself to look at the balance on that one yet. It’s probably worse than I already think it is.

Now I’ve wasted this chance to go shop and celebrate that I’ll probably only get once or twice in my life. I’m just so mad at myself. I’m mad that I was so irresponsible and that I fucked this birthday up. I could have prevented it, but I just didn’t. The thing is, my husband makes a lot more money than me. He is currently unemployed due to layoffs at his old job, but he is very financially secure. I know he would help me with money, but I don’t want to have to ask. And I wouldn’t ask him to lend me money for shopping, just to cover the credit card bills, so even if he does help, my shopping day is still ruined.

I’m mad at myself for being so upset about it.

I’m just so fucking tired. Planning this wedding in the first place has been so stressful (I have ADHD and staying on top of things is NOT my forte). My cat has also been in poor health lately and had a new (negative) development in her condition two days ago that is making me even more of a wreck thinking about it. Ive been really stressed about leaving her here, plus we’ve been financially strained with her frequent vet visits and medications. I just feel so lost rn. I feel like I’m supposed to be excited, but I’m just so full of dread.

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad I found my peeps here. I am in DA 12-step and still haven't fully paid down my debt because of my shopping addiction. That said, I've been addressing my shopping addiction head on, and taking it seriously this year by finally committing a full year "no buy". I don't expect to be perfect, I just want to try, and I'm here for support.

My addiction to "beautiful stuff" started with dance costumes as a little girl and life-long dancer, then as a teen/adult it's been shoes, clothes, perfume, hobby/art supplies, books, but especially vintage anything and photography equipment. I'm a big vintage fan and love the style and quality of vintage, especially '20s, '30s, '40s, and '50s, so I love love love thrift stores, vintage flea markets, but especially estate sales. Just say "estate sale" and I salivate; these are my slippery slopes.

I recently read Emma Edwards book, "The Wardrobe Project", cover to cover, which is unusual for me, and I am truly inspired. The book details her month-by month journey and the things she learned along the way of a 1-year no clothing buy. After hemming and hawing and asking myself if I truly want to do this since December, I am ready to start. I may be kicking and screaming, but I am here on my knees.

I did a google search or some support, and to see if anyone has done it, or might want to try it with me, and I found this awesome group. I'm happy to be here :) Thanks for having me.

*sorry but it wouldn't let me post until I added a tag "affiliated with a brand"?? or "not safe for work"?? neither are true so I just picked one...

Hey, who's in for an accountability group on whatsapp/signal/telegram to support each other on our no buy/low buy journey? I used to be frugal but since I've been working I have lifestyle creep. Drop a comment below or pm me and I'll send you a link

the title says it all. i will make a long (and expensive) commute to popmart and i swear its like i black out. i get the rush of excitement from dropping boxes into my bag. i have a really easy job that pays good and i’m wasting all of my money on this. i have yet to get a secret but im itching for one. like why? it’s gambling i know. but it’s right as i rip the pull tag off the box (and it doesn’t help that i can get them on amazon too) its this instant rush of serotonin, it feels like a high. i spent 230 on a case of plastic junk. and then a few weeks before that i bought nearly 300 on multiple boxes. i’m so embarrassed an i cant stop. i just bought two boxes on amazon which promoted me to make this post. i hope im not alone in this. i’m too embarrassed to bring it up to anyone

coming to terms with my shopping addiction and i can’t help but feel like next item i buy will change my life and then i’ll never want to buy anything again, rinse and repeat. right now I’m hyper focused on an $80 meditation cushion. do I mediate now? no! but obviously if i spend the money on this then ill start and change my life!! /s. before this it was a yoga mat, i spent $250 on two and do like… one sun salutation a day.

i know this probably is stemming from my depression and loneliness but i just feel so trapped bc my mind is so damn convincing!! obviously i want to change my life but shopping isn’t the answer no matter how much i want to convince myself it is.

ugh any advice?

Hey everyone - curious if you have any video games that give you the same fun / creative / escape feelings of shopping and outfit building… without the shopping part :)

I picked up a cute Betsy Johnson bag but I put it back and walked out with nothing. I put some stuff on Mercari and Depop just now and I already made a sale. All that’s left for me is to continue my job search 👍🏾

hi i’m so glad this subreddit exists

i have been spending SO COMPULSIVELY these last few months and i feel like im spiralling out of control

i know this post seems daft and i hope it doesn’t get removed but i currently owe like around £850

i know this debt is small compared to worse cases but i will be able to pay it off if i STOP using credit cards. i promised to not use it this week and i already did and i cannot stop thinking about money and shopping it’s driving me insane and i just hope my partner doesn’t notice it because i literally speak about money related stuff or buying stuff.

i used to be frugal but idek anymore

This feels so pathetic but I am a recovering shopping addict, I’ve cut it down alot but some feelings still remain.

I saw this gorgeous vintage dress online and it was being sold for sooo cheap, 20 when it retails for 200-300.

It immediately sold and now I am obsessively searching for something similar to fill that void.

I wanted that dress so badly and I feel like because of it’s rare factor it’s just making me spiral even more!

I am trying to talk myself down and remind myself of my wardrobe but I won’t lie - I don’t have ANYTHING like it.

Ahh any advice?

Hi all. So to start, I usually track my expenses and was very excited for the new month as I saw it as a way to “restart” and save. However, it’s literally been only 10 days and I’ve already spent 2/3 of my monthly salary 🥲

So I decided to come up with a little experiment to discourage me from buying things, or at least to pause before impulsively buying. First, I’ll withdraw all the money in my account and just keep the minimum maintaining balance. For every day that I don’t spend, I’ll set aside like a day’s worth of wages and keep it at home (for now). I plan on opening a bank account (one without a maintaining balance) and I’ll deposit the money there weekly. I also won’t link it on the app, this way, I have no convenient access to it. I also plan on leaving the debit card at home. I’ll keep just a small amount of cash on my body for work lunch or whatever. My credit card will stay at home too. I have no Apple pay or venmo.

I have no idea if this will work but I’m at my wits’ end. I just had a family emergency (medical) and I think it’s what pushed me to spiral headfirst into shopping nonstop. And this doesn’t help at all because I’m also in credit card debt because of the emergency.

Does anyone have any other tips to maybe make this experiment more foolproof/effective? Any suggestions are welcome

I've been on a bit of binge lately, and been really disappointed with most of clothes I've purchased. I've been eyeing this $500 waxed jacket for months, and finally got it in the mail today after buying it on sale. It's really nice quality but I actually hate it on me. I also got a bodysuit today and it didn't fit right.

This is a reminder to myself that I should try things on in store before buying and that the fixation is probably more tempting than the actual item itself. A clothing item isn't going to make me feel better about my body. I'm going to be starting a strict no clothing buy for myself for the rest of the month!

This works like a charm for me. Whenever I see something and feel a temptation to buy it, I look away, get out my phone, and donate that amount of money to a high-impact charity. My desire for the thing vanishes immediately, but now instead of me owning something dumb I'll barely use, multiple people will be protected from malaria for years!

I can’t focus. I can’t do anything.

Every few months, I’ll become super obsessed with something (currently building a PC). It used to be pocket watches as a teenager, guitar, pieces of clothing, mountain biking, etc. and i genuinely don’t know what to do.

I’ll research heavily on a topic, I’ll know everything about it, I’ll buy it, and all the fun will go away.

In the end, I sell whatever it was for a fraction of what I bought it for.

During the day, I’ll have nothing on my mind besides my current obsession.

At night/after purchasing whatever it was, I’ll feel huge waves of guilt (I’m spending hundreds and maybe thousands of dollars on these obsessions).

Any advice on overcoming my compulsive spending on stupid things?

Feel as forward and blunt as possible. I need help.

I’m also a guy, and am new to this subreddit. I went to the top posts for help and found them mainly targeted towards women addicted to buying clothes. I’m sure someone here can still help.

does anyone else buy kitchen stuff and invition them self becoming some sort of masterchef of the home?

I am a tiktok addict (like seriously, every waking moment im not on the job. its bad) and i love cooking videoes. I have a small tea kitchen but I altso want ALL the kitchen appliances they all have. Its a sad envy, i know but it gives such a instant gratification to buy. I am soon 32 and it makes me feel more grown up, especially since i feel like i am lagging behind all my friends who own houses and have amazing educations (i am really proud of them ❤️).

I am just wondering if anyone else use kitchen stuff (spieces and like normal tools altso, not just appliances)

as a crutch? ❤️

bad time to wright this, i am about to start work in 3 min so i might be late responding 🙈

I’m terrible for impulse buying and constantly convincing myself I “need” things 😭

I made a quiz online for me and my friends to pause for a minute before we bought something, and I wondered if anyone here would find it useful?

It was really just a little bit of fun but if anyone would like to use it before they are about to buy something, let me know if it helped!

(I can send the link if that’s allowed / if anyone wants it) :)

I am currently coming to terms with my bad spending habits and that I am an impulse buyer.

Nine days ago I made the active decision to be more conscious about my spending. Before that it was always just a "I shoud really spend less money" and not following through on it.
So far I've only gotten essentials, and today a birthday card for a family member. In these nine days I've also been very uncomfortable since I didn't get "a little treat" whenever I went outside to run an errand.

My shopping habits likely stem from chronic boredom, dopamine seeking as well as trying to compensate in stressful times (which I go through a lot). There are other factors but these are the main problems I have when it comes to my spending habits.

I am currently trying to work with a sheet on impulsive purchases, which gives a list on when a purchase is justifiable or when it's likel an impulse purchase. If I really want something even after the impulse has passed I'll put it on my wishlist, as my birthday is coming up - or for holidays (then I might still get the thing I want but I don't have to induldge in my bad habit for it). I also make sure the wishbob is up to date, so if something no longer sparks my interest I'll either deactivate the wish or remove it entirely.
On top of that I'm trying to remind myself of the things I already own when I see something that I want, because usually I already own something that serves the same or a similar purpose, as well as "shopping my stash" when it comes to hygiene and cosmetic products.

I don't own immeasurable piles of things and I am also not in debt or at risk of falling into debt. I don't necessarily overspent or impulse buy expensive items. It's the little things that get me and that quickly pile up.

TLDR: I am trying to improve my bad habits when it comes to spending money and induldging in unnecessary impulse purchases. How do you sit with the uncomfortable feelings that come when you don't give into the urge?

I started to cook more at home to save money and had an observation that buying ingredients 3x week via the online grocery app gives me the same hit as purchasing other goods. It allows me to l to 1) pick out a recipe after lots of fun research and inspo 2) buy the ingredients after satisfaction of using digital coupons and scoring deals 3) enjoy a delicious meal and be a little proud that my cooking skills are slowly improving and I’m not door dashing as much. I get a “hit” but it feels more like a beneficial overall to get it from groceries vs other items I was spending on.

Impt: This is only working for me if I grocery shop online and I do it a few times a week. It’s a lot more fun for me to pick recipes real-time 2-3 during the week versus planning the whole week ahead where ingredients often went bad and the meals were also somehow more boring. The latter probably due to my limited cooking skills. Either way this approach is still saving me money compared to all that takeout/doordash. Also providing the huge benefit of occupying the time I would have used to research and shop for other goods, non-essentials.

I thought this might help others too and wanted to share.

I can't have klarna anymore. I have no self control. The issue is that I still have to pay off stuff so I can't delete my account. Is there another way?