With malls coming in almost every shape, size and website it can be so easy to spend more money than you realize. An article from MSN Money stated that five percent of Americans suffer from compulsive shopping. However, it can be hard to see the blurred line between shopping for necessity compared to emotional shopping, also known as “retail therapy.” This can be easily addicting for anyone, especially college students.
“You get more confidence and feel better when you have bought something new,” explained sophomore Rachel Gale. “You look forward to wearing it, and it gives you a little boost that from the down feeling you had before.”
According to the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery, people who suffer from compulsive shopping or spending often spend money when they are experiencing negative feelings such as disappointment, anger or fear.
Compulsive shoppers also have spending habits that cause arguments with others and leave them with thousands of dollars of debt. Many feel lost without credit cards or think excessively about money. The big danger that comes from this type of uncontrolled spending is the euphoric rush that keeps people digging deeper into their pockets until there is nothing left.
Specialist professor of communication, Kristine Simoes said she indulges in retail therapy. “There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t say, ‘I’ve had a really bad day and I need to get something right now,’” said Simoes.
“I do notice that when I was having a bad day or boy problems, me and my friends would say ‘Let’s go shopping.’ Then I would end up spending money that I did not have,” said sophomore Alexa Burger. “It’s almost like a present to myself, which doesn’t really make sense. I was spending my money, but I would think ‘I want this necklace because it’s pretty, and I had a bad day so I deserve it.’”
With 85 percent of women in the United States making or influencing the major purchasing decisions in their household according to an article on thenextweb.com, the stereotype that only women like to shop has circulated through all forms of media.
How many of us ladies have quoted “Mean Girls” by yelling outside our friend’s house “Get in loser! We’re going shopping!” Still, even with this shopaholic societal standard, men are just as guilty as women for hitting their favorite store after a bad day.
“As an emotional outlet, I don’t use it as much as other students, but it does happen,” senior criminal justice major Ryan Reckhow, said. “For me it’s more of an instinct thing like right after I get paid, or when I receive my student refund. I go from having a few hundred dollars in the bank to a thousand. It just hits me and I start spending, and before you know it, it’s like a little mini addiction,” Reckhow explained.
Donna Mancini, Office Coordinator for Vice President and Dean of Campus Life, enjoys online shopping. “I am not stepping over my bounds, but if I do find myself in a tizzy and can’t find an answer, I do find myself online shopping,” said Mancini.
There is hope for those who may be dealing with a compulsive shopping problem. One way is to simply find a new activity.
Every time you feel your mouse going towards the “add to cart” button on Amazon, go for a run, bake something, or join a volunteer group to do community service in your spare time. By distracting yourself, it will become easier to face the temptation and learn something new in the process.
With the holidays approaching, it can be hard to resist certain sales and promotions especially with a Black Friday only a few weeks away. If the temptation is going to be too much, have someone else hold onto the credit cards and checkbook.
While this tactic may seem childish, setting rules and budget for yourself can benefit you to landing on the plus side of things.
“I just kept buying whatever I really wanted, and never looked at my bank account. When I finally did, I realized I was broke,” said Gale. “I don’t go to the mall or retail shop anymore, because I know if I do, I will buy something. You just have to tell yourself you don’t need it.”
IMAGE TAKEN from miaminardi.blogg.se
