Shopaholic_Intervention

Shopaholic Intervention “When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping” (anonymous). Or should they' For most people, buying is a normal and routine part of everyday life. Nearly everyone loves to shop, but there are a number of people that can go overboard, purchasing items that are not needed, maybe useless, and possibly leading to impulsive buying. It can be incredibly difficult to stop the urge once it is there. It is the enemy of being frugal to the monthly budget. It can actually lead to serious problems with the household financial budget, relationships, or even damaging to oneself. It may produce immediate gratification, but can lead to long-term consequences. Everyone has done it at some point, making that unintended, immediate, unplanned purchase. What causes consumers to buy on impulse' Possibly, in the way retailers arrange their products and use promotional sales, attracting more impulsive buyers. There is the really cute shirt on sale, or the tabloid magazine with the latest gossip, and the few candy bars picked up while waiting in line to check out. It didn’t really amount to much. Were they top priority on the shopping list' Probably not. Many think it is harmless since the total purchase may not have cost that much. A few dollars here and there can add up over time without realizing it. If the weekly budget is set at $100 for groceries and various needed items, the $20 shirt on sale will start to impact the budget quicker than may be expected. Upon balancing the checkbook, that $20 appeared to be needed to make ends meet to pay the water bill for that week. The snowball effect begins, carrying unpaid debt over from week to week. Carrying credit cards is also easy access for those that have a shopping problem. Credit card debt can be the central part of the issue. They make it easy for undisciplined spenders to get into trouble. There are many people that have low credit rating due to the inability to pay their bills if impulsive purchasing has taken over their lives. Using credit cards can resort to borrowing. This behavior also affects the loved ones within the household. One may notice the three large spare rugs in the closet, seven boxes of hair color in the bathroom cabinet, or the jewelry that is rapidly accumulating on the dresser. Are these items really needed at the time of purchase' That question seldom comes to mind. When spending habits become noticed more often, and when confronted, the denial starts along with possible lying and concealing purchases. Eventually, feelings of stress and resentment build towards concerned loved ones. If it is extra money outside of the family budget that is being spent, put it back and make it a big reward for the whole family by vacationing together. If there is a child in the family, what about their future education' Open a savings account for them. So why do it' Impulsive buying appears to be an effective tactic for breaking out of an undesirable mood, offering a change of pace, and relief from boredom. If it is given any thought at all, it is very brief, only to convince oneself that it is deserved. The shopper may be emotionally attracted to the item and desire immediate gratification. A piece of clothing can make one feel beautiful. That pleasurable mental state, instant “high” or “rush” is powerful, then perhaps hours later or the next day, is the “crash”. The following morning, feeling remorseful, and compelled to return the item. It may also be used as a coping mechanism to deal with stress, which in turn, creates additional anxiety and frustration. Impulsive purchasing is reoccurring if it is not detected and taken control of. How is this behavior recognized' When one questions themselves on why they purchased a particular item; an impulsive purchase was just made. It is actually not a bad thing for those that have the extra money and need the items. For those on a budget, it may be less fortunate. The forces of advertising and marketing can be too powerful to overcome for those with this behavior. Having wants is natural, but time those wants with thoughtful decisions that will benefit the buying power of the whole family, not just an impulsive behavior that can destroy your financial credibility.