6 Signs You Have a Compulsive Spending Problem

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So you think you may have a compulsive spending problem? Or maybe you’re researching overspending because you’re genuinely worried about a loved one’s spending habits. Whatever your reason, I hope you will read it thoroughly and take it very seriously. Shopping addictions and compulsive spending are a real problem here in the U.S. Here are some signs that you might need a spender intervention.

1. You plan your schedule around sales and deals.

Some people are simply addicted to a good deal. Remember when couponing was a huge thing, made popular by the Krazy Coupon Lady? I even became addicted to the chase, buying a newspaper every Sunday morning and scouring it for the best deals. I’d link up with a friend and drive around town, stopping at Walgreens, Target, Walmart, CVS, and Rite-Aid nearly every week.

The problem is I ended up with all sorts of crap I didn’t need just because it was either cheap or free. Time is money, y’all. So even though you’re getting a fabulous deal on glucose tablets, ask yourself if you’ll ever need them in real life. If the answer is no, stay away from the deals! They’re sabotaging your goals in the long run.

2. You use the credit cards to aid in your compulsive spending without any idea how much you’ve spent.

Did you know that it’s super easy to lose track of your spending when you’re using credit cards (especially more than one)? Now I’m all about a girls’ weekend, and I have been guilty of overspending in this manner. So it’s worth bringing up.

Let’s assume it’s Black Friday weekend, and you’re going shopping with your best friends in the city. You’ve got all of your shopping lists made out for each store, and maybe you’ve written down how much each item costs in a column on your list.

This doesn’t automatically protect you. What about unexpected deals? Doorbusters and Christmas decorations are bound to catch your attention, not to mention all of the food and drinks to fuel the fun weekend.

3. Your text messages and/or email is full of offers and deals which you check daily.

If you’ve signed up for daily deals from restaurants and department stores, you probably receive text messages every single week with a sense of urgency for a “limited time deal”.

Your email is flooded with “store spam”, and you frequently check for coupon codes and ways to save money through opt-ins and text alert offers.

4. You can’t afford food.

Do you find yourself nibbling on crackers or ramen noodles until payday? Maybe your situation isn’t that extreme, but do you find yourself struggling at the end of the pay period, and the day (or weekend) you get your paycheck, you’re making plans to go to brunch, dinner, out for drinks, etc (even though you couldn’t afford it last week)? This could be a sign that you’re overspending in between paychecks, which brings me to my next point.

5. You’re living paycheck to paycheck.

If you’re struggling, living paycheck to paycheck, with little to nothing in savings, you might have a spending problem. By creating a budget, you are telling your money what to do and letting it work for you in your favor. Start here if you need to living paycheck to paycheck.

My free guide walks you through the anatomy of a budget, and if you’re in debt, you can read about the debt snowball vs debt avalanche. I know I’m sharing a lot of links. At the end of this post, be sure to join my tribe so you’ll have access to all of these goodies without losing your spot or feeling overwhelmed. I’m here to help you! If you feel that something is missing or you need additional help, please let me know in the comments below. My job is to help YOU!

6. You’re in denial about your compulsive spending problem.

If some of these qualities and characteristics are a little “too close for comfort”, don’t freak out. It’s never too late to change your behaviors. In tomorrow’s post, I’m sharing How to Stop Overspending {Actionable Tips to Take Control of your Money}. Ask yourself if you’re guilty of having a compulsive spending problem, and be sure to read tomorrow’s post for ways to cope with these behavior patterns.

I know how easy it is to leave a page and forget where you read “that one post”.  You can always bookmark this site. But I’d love if you’d join my community of women who are taking control of their money, blogging, and business! I’ll send you the password to my resource library with all sorts of printable worksheets to help you on your path to financial independence. Just click the button below, and I am so happy to welcome you to our tribe!