Reformed shopaholic? please can you give me the benefit of your advice

NGlady

Well ive been into town, I spent 30.00, for me on a Saturday thats hardly anything and it was a skirt for a christening im going to be god mummy at will also wear it to my friends wedding in April I am really starting to get into the idea that coast etc are better shops and its better to buy one item than 5 if its a last-for-a-long-time buy

lynzpower

Hello NG lady:
I agree about Coast. Lovely quality. The other thing to say is that if its distinctive ( I bought a beautiful floral dress from there) and you cna only get away with it a couple of wears ( as its been seen at events youve been photod at) they have a good resale value on ebay- particualry skirts. I reckon you should definitely think about selling afterwards.

I have two coast outfits that have been photographed for ebay, so if I have time Ill list them tomorrow.

NG did you join any survey sites. I recommend also consumer pulse ( google) Ivbe had lots of vouchers from them that Ive bought myself things with and also used towards presents.

salesaddict

Hello all,
its so brilliant for me to read all your problems, experiences and coping strategies. This thread is helping me so much, so thankyou all for that.
I have come to look on my shopping problem as a bit like binge-drinking.
I abstain quite well all week. I quite often go days without spending anything.
I take my lunch into work these days.
My lattes are free, provided by my company.
So for a caffeine addict, that saves a fortune.

Then at the weekend I go mad.

However today I only went to Aldi and Sainsburys and I shopped very wisely within my food budget............. and I was in there hours.

Now, that is not normal is it?

I did buy a lovely smelling shampoo in Aldi for 79p and a fantastic sounding serum reduced to £3.99 as I want to wean myself of protect and perfect. I know I should have waited until I had used my stockpile of P+P but I didn't.
I have a massive pile of ironing and an even bigger pile of washing to get through.

I was supposed to sort out all my cosmetics and toiletries to photograph for the other thread, but so far today I have found that too daunting. I will try to do it tomorrow but I still have that pile of washing and ironing reproaching me. It will also take me 2 hours to nit comb dd's beautiful waist length hair. Or am I just trying to put it off?

NGlady

I have just thought with this thread especially with the thankyou feature, Its a bit like shopaholics annnymous.
Hello, Im Laura, and im a Shoppaholic...

Babafette

salesaddict wrote: »

However today I only went to Aldi and Sainsburys and I shopped very wisely within my food budget............. and I was in there hours.

Now, that is not normal is it?

Who cares whether you spent 30 minutes in there or five hours - the point is that you spent wisely and you actually thought about what you were buying. Well done.

lynzpower

salesaddict wrote: »

Hello all,
its so brilliant for me to read all your problems, experiences and coping strategies. This thread is helping me so much, so thankyou all for that. im glad- me too
I have come to look on my shopping problem as a bit like binge-drinking.
I abstain quite well all week. I quite often go days without spending anything. thats great- but we all know thats not sustainable- we all have to spend sometimes!
I take my lunch into work these days. kudos for that
My lattes are free, provided by my company.
So for a caffeine addict, that saves a fortune.

Then at the weekend I go mad.

However today I only went to Aldi and Sainsburys and I shopped very wisely within my food budget............. and I was in there hours. :beer: I think also that we all need to realise- that keeping within budget takes time! You need time to think it over, do you needit or not, is this too expensive, is it cheaper in lidl or sainsburys etc.

Now, that is not normal is it? whats normal?

I did buy a lovely smelling shampoo in Aldi for 79p :( and a fantastic sounding serum reduced to £3.99 :( as I want to wean myself of protect and perfect. I know I should have waited until I had used my stockpile of P+P but I didn't.:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(

What strategies can you think of to not do this next time you go to a supermrket>
I have a massive pile of ironing and an even bigger pile of washing to get through.

I was supposed to sort out all my cosmetics and toiletries to photograph for the other thread, but so far today I have found that too daunting. ( why not do it bit by bit eg just do the shower gels first?, this is so important) I will try to do it tomorrow but I still have that pile of washing and ironing reproaching me. ( do it in bits, 30 mins ironing, 15 mins toils) It will also take me 2 hours to nit comb dd's beautiful waist length hair. Or am I just trying to put it off?

I think you are trying to put it off, and I also think you know why. This is like then final frontier. Your nemesis.I dont mean to sound harsh, you know that but its like staring your big weakness in the face.

I felt like that about my savings account in January. I just couldnt look at the figure. It should have been 10k more than there was. _pale_

Now Ive looked at it,I felt SHOCKING, but now feel more comfortable. If I can call it that. I can now talk about my mistake on here knowing im moving forward not back

I know you are too xx

CompletelyLost

salesaddict wrote: »

Hello all,
its so brilliant for me to read all your problems, experiences and coping strategies. This thread is helping me so much, so thankyou all for that.
I have come to look on my shopping problem as a bit like binge-drinking.
I abstain quite well all week. I quite often go days without spending anything.
I take my lunch into work these days.
My lattes are free, provided by my company.
So for a caffeine addict, that saves a fortune.

Then at the weekend I go mad.

However today I only went to Aldi and Sainsburys and I shopped very wisely within my food budget............. and I was in there hours.

Now, that is not normal is it?

I did buy a lovely smelling shampoo in Aldi for 79p and a fantastic sounding serum reduced to £3.99 as I want to wean myself of protect and perfect. I know I should have waited until I had used my stockpile of P+P but I didn't.
I have a massive pile of ironing and an even bigger pile of washing to get through.

I was supposed to sort out all my cosmetics and toiletries to photograph for the other thread, but so far today I have found that too daunting. I will try to do it tomorrow but I still have that pile of washing and ironing reproaching me. It will also take me 2 hours to nit comb dd's beautiful waist length hair. Or am I just trying to put it off?

I sometimes think that the longer you go without spending, the more you end up spending when you do actually crack Like a binge, only with shopping not food.

Is it just beauty and clothing you spend excessively on, or is it anything and everything? Sorry if it seems I'm being nosey.

NGlady

CompletelyLost wrote: »

I sometimes think that the longer you go without spending, the more you end up spending when you do actually crack Like a binge, only with shopping not food.

That is so true.

Anglea

Talking of binges, I bought a very large pack of salt and vinegar crisps today completely forgetting that I'd already put a smaller pack in the basket.

I planned to eat them over the week, but couldn't stop myself once I started and then I ate a large iced bun.:( I'm telling myself it was ok because I didn't buy any of my usual clutter.

I just hope I don't start eating a lot of snacks if I'm cutting down on shopping.

NGlady

debit card that ive got stored with debenhams canx. Only problem is, im wanting to return lots of things, but now i dont have the card I paid on. If i take them into store, will they refund me money wise or would I be stuck with credit notes?
Im thinking, I may have to go through the hassle of sending back via courier which means waiting for ages for my money.
How silly am I - why didnt i deal with the refunds FIRST lol.