Money...Money...Money
It’s easy to throw around a term like “shopaholic.” We’ve all heard it and it sounds cute, carefree, and innocent. It’s more of a quirk, rather than a problem. There are books and movies with characters who overindulge in their shopping and they all end up okay and almost always portray a fairy tale life. But when money or shopping rule your life, it can lead to anything but a perfect ending.
Money is a powerful addiction. There is no high in the world like when I buy something new. I feel invincible, powerful, important...but that feeling comes at a huge cost.
I sacrificed everything to have the newest technology, clothes, and ‘must have’ items. I am 24 and have over $50,000 in credit card debt. Every single penny of that is delinquent. My credit is so far gone that I can’t rent an apartment, I can’t buy a car, I can’t switch banks, I get denied for jobs- and the list can go on and on. All day long, my phone rings off the hook from creditors calling me. I can recite the voicemail that each collection agency leaves - permanently etched in my head to let me know I've screwed up. After I defaulted on my first credit card, I cried, convinced my life was over.
My life was over. I was only 22 at the time and I was drowning. Tell me, where’s my fairy tale ending?
It’s easy to feel hopeless because we can’t escape needing money. Unlike a drug addict, the drug of money can’t be avoided and we simply can’t cut ourselves off from it. Instead, we must learn to avoid behaviors, emotions or situations that cause us to spend excessively.
If you have a problem with money, there is help available. Talking with a counselor is always a good option. If professional help isn’t possible, try and find someone that will keep you accountable. My best friend has access to my bank statements (think very carefully before doing this!) and knowing that helps me incredibly. Even just a hard look at your finances and where your money goes can help - every step towards helping yourself is a step towards healthy behaviors with money.
