can you control your shopping habit?

Of course i can control my shopping habit. I usually bring my small wallet, so i will not bring also my "cards". You know, my eyes easily get attracted to nice shoes and blouse... my gosh. If i always bring my big wallet, what will happened? heheh. I also prefer not to spend more time in mall, even window shopping... it could be "dangerous" to your wallet. lol.

I think I discovered "retail therapy" way before the term was coined. Sometimes shopping is a form of therapy and sometimes it may indicate a need for therapy! I look at it as a hobby or "sport", particularly when it comes to shopping for bargains. There is something very satisfying about finding something you want for a reallty good price- but there is also a danger in buying things just because they are a good price. I find that shopping can sometimes be a way to fill some of my empty spaces-not in my closets but in my self. It's the occasional feeling that maybe if I buy this outfit/jewelry/pocketbook/pair of shoes I will feel better-more fulfilled. Sometimes, if I really like the purchase and it was something I really wanted, I do feel happier and if it was a great bargain, I feel triumphant. But more often than not, I feel just as empty as I did before I made the purchase- and my wallet is also a bit emptier. Like dieting, removing the temptation is a good way to cut down on unnecessary shopping. Stay away from the mall or your favorite store. If you do go near a store, make sure you can only stay a short time. Don't take a shopping cart-it's much easier to pile up unnecessary purchases in a cart, harder to carry them in your arms. Sometimes you just have to give in and treat yourself to something you want but don't need. Console yourself with the thought that if you don't use it, you can return it.

Yes and no, mostly no. I have not been in a store other than the grocery store and pharmacy for a whole two months. I have stayed completely away from the mall because I KNOW I will buy something if I do. The kids had to go and buy birthday presents for parties they are both going to tonight. I was going to take them but I designated my husband to do that so I wouldn't be faced with temptation. So what did he do? He bought me a new hair dryer. LOL! He is worse than me when it comes to shopping, but at least I have had the self-control to stay away for the past two months. We just don't have the money to spend. But to be sure, if I went into one of the chosen few clothing stores that I like to shop in, I would NOT come out empty handed.

I make a budget and don't spend more than that amount. This means no balances on my credit card, so it reduces stress. I don't want to find that my husband and I will not be able to travel in a few years during retirement.

most of the time i cant control my shopping habit either. lol. whenever i see something i like and if i know i can afford it, i'll just buy it. i really hate myself sometime :P ..it's like i have to stop spending and make myself poorer coz sometimes i tend to buy things that i already have or don't need..but just can't resist the temptation! it really takes great discipline to stop buying stuff, especially unnecessary ones hehe...

Yes, I used to have a bit of a problem shopping before I got married and my to sons arrived. To control my habit I starting making a budget of what I am aloud to spend in a momth on wants, once I reach that limit then I can spend no more, and if I am under budget then it carries over to the next month.

Yes and no. Lately its been yes only because I'm staying away from the malls and forcing myself not to spend and instead save every little penny I get LOL My sister in laws wedding is coming up in April so I can't afford to spend randomly. Maybe after its over I might be able to LOL