Shopping Addiction

EssexHebridean

Suggestion - set yourself a proper budget including what you consider to be a reasonable sum for clothes - assuming you're not in debt, obviously. Take all your other spare money out and stick it in your ISA (assuming you have one - if you don't, open one) and what's left is yours to spend. Hopefully seeing the money building up in the ISA might act as a much needed encouragement to curtail the clothes buying? Good luck!

On the social media thing - can you unfollow one Instagram account at a time that you feel isn't helping things? Plus maybe add a new account to your feed for each one you unfollow, but make those related to another hobby or interest, or simply nice pictures rather than fashion related? That'll help dilute the tempting stuff a bit!

Out,_Vile_Jelly

How about limiting your shopping urges to once a week, £10 limit in your nearest charity shop in a decent part of town. The thrill of a bargain found this way is much more fun than just clicking on your phone to copy what some dead-eyed celebrity is being paid to pose in.

Also, go through your wardrobe and charity shop or Ebay anything you haven't worn in a year.

Maysie

When I was skint I used to do a Ebay neutral thing. I could not buy anything new unless I sold something on ebay so had the funds in paypal. Could you get selling and give it a go? Just ask for help on the ebay board if you get stuck. Make sure your title is as descriptive as can be and will show up in more searches.

greensalad

I have a lot of similar issues.

Try making a pinterest board of everything you want to buy. Pin stuff regularly, browse through it regularly. Delete stuff you don't like.

Every payday, allow yourself one purchase from the list.

You can still curate the items you like by regular pinning but you don't spend more than once a month. It kinda works.

SailorSam

When you go to buy anything look at the price and workout how many hours is it going to take you to earn that.
Is that new dress worth a weeks work ?
Is this new coat worth two weeks work ?
Are those new boots worth a months work ?

Secretshopper

Wow, thank you all for the words of advice.

There are some great suggestions.

I have been toying with the idea of a limit on spending every month, but I've always found an excuse not to commit.

I love my husband and know it's time to grow up and face responsibility and £300 a month of clothing is no longer viable (not to mention completely unnecessary)!

I have been selling items on eBay that I don't wear, also I always really think about items I've purchased and if I don't wear them within the refurn timeframe tend to send them back.

I like the idea of a Pinterest 'want' list and will try that as well as commiting to a monthly spend on clothes.

I also think its time to look at every small spend I make and whatever it is completely necessary. I'm forever spending £5 here and there and they all add up.

Thank you again. Your help if much appreciated.

greensalad

If you know you can't commit, and your husband is good with money, you could hand control to him. Let him take away your cards and lock them in a safe (you can always call him to get the PIN number if you needed them in an emergency and he wasn't home). Get a prepaid mastercard and get him to top it up for you with a budget weekly. You can spend all that budget once a week or you can save it for a bigger purchase at the end of the month.

And yes, this will make you feel like a child. But it'll work.

timefortea

For monitoring small spends that just add up I'd really recommend recording your spending on your phone, or in a little book that you keep in your handbag, whatever works for you. I have an app on my phone and was horrified when I saw how much I'd been spending on snacks and drinks in the cafe at work. I'd had no idea. And it's much easier for me to cut that down than it is for me to cut spending on the things I really want.

Towser

No not crazy. I know what you mean.

I have had to limit my shopping addiction to Aldi and Charity Shops.

Cheapest for food and everything else. This means other thrills take over such as getting a bargain and being creative. You don't have to spend all your money you just concentrate on shopping wisely instead.

Shopping online is too easy but holding out for something you actually want and is very nice takes time and patience.

Try it.

savingfortomorrow

seriously chop up the card and use a pre-loaded credit card for emergency. I was a shopping addict seriously, it was shocking when i could use transaction history to see how much was spent. Thankfully, my shopping was limited due working long hours and bargain hunting.

have a cash only diet for a month or longer. If you have to borrow hubby's card or physically walk to the bank most of the time temptation declines very fast.

you need your light bulb moment- mine was when the wardrobe collapsed and admittance- i need nothing else. Open every wardrobe and hidden bag and see what you have. Focus on using what you have. The black dress you are looking at, 9 times out of 10 tends to be a dupe of what you have hidden at the back of a wardrobe. Can you change what you have to fit with the more recent style?

You need a new hobby- look at netflix, browse cooking recipes or do something else. it is easier to go cold turkey regarding clothes browsing for a few weeks until you have control. Install an extension on chrome and block the offending websites. I allow 15 minutes free window for all sites. this is an effective option. (you could dare i say it get you husband to put a password on the blocking software so you can not access those sites under any circumstances. this could be the nuclear option- if all else fails).

You need to have a big moment of personal reflection- why do you shop. Do you feel that the perfect dress will change something? Are you trying to keep up with other friends? Are you bored? Will those shoes change how you feel about any personal issue? You need to consider your motivation.

So basically, focus on your goal. Make a pintrest board of home decor, look on houzz, home decor sites and make a list of what you want. decide you prefer a sofa in velvet or leather- or another pair of jeans.