Shopaholic??

[nancy324]

I've always enjoyed shopping. Can't help it. I was raised in the shopping capital of the world: Bergen County, New Jersey and most of my best memories are of shopping with my Mom.

But lately, I don't know what's come over me. I spend hours on the internet comparing items I'm interested in, and I am compelled to go to at least one store every day after work! The thrill of the hunt for bargains has become addictive. The summer sales have been amazing, and I have this sense of victory every time I find a great bargain.

I've been taking those online quizzes about "are you a shopaholic" and I do have some of the symptoms.

In my own defense, I should mention that I don't buy a lot, and I'm using, wearing and enjoying every purchase. I guess it's important to add that I have no debt and I pay off the credit card in full each month. I'm more concerned about how much time I spend shopping, including internet shopping, whether or not I actually purchase anything. Maybe I'm trying to distract myself to avoid thinking about other things?

I'm hoping it's just a phase that will pass soon. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[SRP]

Hey Nancy - personally, I hate to shop so I can't understand this at all. But here's a thought: you're in a high-stress profession, and you've talked before about how tough it can be. Maybe the act of shopping, even if you don't buy anything, is calming to you because you have such good memories of it.

But then again, maybe you are a crazy addict.

 

[delfinn]

nancy, I, too, was raised in Bergen county nj... and it is the shopping capitol of the world! I find I shop in spurts. With the incredible summer sales right now, it's hard not to go into bargain-hunting mode. I found two great tops at Bloomie's for less than $20! Anyway, after a "spurt" of shopping, I say, "ok, that's it," and start a project at home. Clean out a closet. Sew something. Make something new for dinner. Whatever. A diversion until I'm out of the shopping mode.

 

[LauraMax]

I'm sorry, I beg to differ. Short Hills is the shopping mecca (not b/c of the number of options, but b/c of the quality). But if Paramus is in Bergen I think you're a close runner up.

Nancy, I can't speak for you, but I think my own purchases are a replacement for other things that are missing in my life. Certainly when I'm feeling down on myself or some aspect of my life, I find myself buying more.

Just a thought. Frankly I don't think it's a problem if it's not causing you financial stress.

 

[delfinn]

My parents live in Short Hills! And,yes, the Short Hills Mall is truly a high-end shopping mecca.

 

[Jaffas]

Since you're not in debt I wouldn't worry. But this is coming from another person who hates to shop. I had a coworker that I believe had a shopping addiction. She would buy stuff and never even take it out of the bag. I didn't know her well so I don't know if she was in debt but she worked tons of overtime.

 

[NinjaMom]

Nancy~ I love to shop too even though I'm in MN...not a shopping mecca but we do have the Mall of America!!

I wouldn't be concerned. You're not in debt and don't seem to buy things you can't use or don't need. Maybe this is just your way of de-stressing

JJ

 

[lala1]

Hi Nancy, it seems you are more concerned with the amount of time you spend shopping, comparing, on the internet, etc. So is the time cutting into other things that you used to enjoy doing or things that you should be doing? can you stop if you want? Maybe, as one other poster mentioned, it is simply a way of destressing, and if it is not causing you other stress (financial), enjoy it for what it is.

I find I go through phases, including simply spending too much time on the computer...mainly on this site . Then I just have to walk away for a time.

Like right now I should be preparing for the beginning of school...instead here I am!

 

[nancy324]

Thanks for your responses. I guess I should mention that not being in debt isn't everything. There's also saving for that darn new kitchen and saving for retirement. Every dollar I spend on clothes or shoes technically delays the kitchen or the retirement. Like Delfinn, I tend to go in spurts, but this spurt seems different somehow. It feels more like an obsession.

As for Short Hills, yes it's very upscale. But Paramus has more shopping just in terms of sheer volume. I can hardly count the number of malls in Paramus. We did, however, always go to Short Hills on Sunday because of the Paramus blue laws. Gawd fawbid we should go a day without shopping.

Lala, YES, it's cutting into my time doing other things, but even when I'm doing other things (like working), I'm not really focusing on them. I guess it's just a nutty phase. I'm probably feeling stressed and/or insecure. I agree with your comment, Laura, about things missing in my life. I'm sure I'll lose interest in shopping again at some point as I always do. I sure hope so!