Who doesn’t love treating themselves on occasion? Whether you’ve smashed all those targets at work, you’ve passed all your exams or you’ve come through a really tough time, you deserve something special. There’s nothing wrong with splashing the cash from time to time and rewarding yourself for all your hard work.

But when does treating yourself become a problem? These days there seems to be a fine line between financial security and financial problems. The slightest knock can quickly bring your precarious financial balance, tumbling down and when you’re spending a little too much on yourself, it could happen sooner than you think. Shopping addiction can manifest itself for all kinds of reasons – perhaps you’re lonely, or you’re feeling out of control in certain areas of your life. Whatever your situation is, spotting the signs of shopping addiction is crucial to your financial and mental wellbeing.

So, what are the signs that you have a shopping addiction? Read on for vital signs that you shouldn’t ignore.

You’re in debt and it’s getting worse

Most of us have some sort of debt. However, when you’re avoiding phone calls, struggling to pay your bills or your money worries are keeping you up at night, you have a problem. Creditfix can help you out if you need debt advice, reach out to them today. If you have a debt problem that’s a direct cause of your spending habits, then you need to act before your debts spiral out of control.

Your house is full of unopened items

Another sign of a shopping addiction. Wardrobes and closets filled with clothes that still have the tags on. Unopened items still in their boxes, piles of shoes still in their boxes that have never seen the light of day…the list goes on. But when you have a shopping addiction, it just makes sense to keep buying, no matter how many untouched items you already own.

When something bad happens, you want to shop

An argument with your partner, a bad day at work, days of low self-esteem… If you’re having a bad day and your first impulse is to hit the shops for some retail therapy, then you may have a shopping addiction. Trying to mute your feelings or gain back control of the situation by spending money is a vital sign you can’t ignore. It makes you feel better. It gives you relief. It’s a similar kind of relief that drug addicts and bingers pursue.

You feel guilty

You don’t have to splurge on a designer handbag to have buyer’s remorse. Even savings on little bargains can leave addicted shoppers with a sense of regret. If you’re feeling guilty every time you leave the store, or when you look in your kitchen cupboard and see hundreds of dollars’ worth of cleaning products piled up, then you probably have a shopping addiction.

Final thoughts…

Shopping and spending addictions are more common than you might think. If you’re experiencing any of the signs above, reach out to a loved one or a professional for help.

Do you — or a loved one — have a shopping addiction?

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