Caught Red-Handed with an Overspender Mentality

I never really thought of myself as an “overspender.” But, I have caught myself writing something on this blog that screams “overspender-warning.”

Sure, it was just buying something minor (matching dishes and silverware) but they way I reasoned the purchase can be a little dangerous. In my words, I said I purchased them as a “mood-booster.”

Thinking back through the years, I have bought other things as “mood-boosters” when I was feeling down or depressed. Do I feel that material possessions create happiness? If someone had asked me that question last week, I would have told you that happiness is not created by material possessions. But now I realize that my thoughts and my past actions do not equal one another.

Now that this has been brought to light, how do I go about re-mapping my way of thinking? That’s a tough question that I do not have the answer to at the moment, but it is an answer that I will be searching for. When I find it, I will be sure to share with everyone.

Wow, another eye-opener in the past few days. My response, let’s keep ‘em coming!

Posted by Tricia on May 18, 2006 at 12:50 PM in Confessions | 5 Comments »
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mapgirl responded:
Posted: May 18th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Recognizing when you’re about to enter into some retail therapy is the first step to stopping it.
Hunter responded:
Posted: May 18th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
Tricia-

I just stumbled on to your blog and wanted to write a note of encouragement.

I really applaud your honesty and bravery in taking your life to the streets (or the web)to help yourself and others.

As someone who just entered the world of blogging recently I also commend your dedication.

Let me know if there’s any way I can help you or any advice I can offer to improve your progress.

I’d also like to link your site off of mine if you don’t mind.

Be well,

Hunter
Kim responded:
Posted: May 19th, 2006 at 10:16 am
Although excessive retail therapy can be harmful, I don’t think it’s altogether bad. Many of us that are trying to get out of debt are pinching a lot of pennies and cutting lots of corners. If I recall correctly, you took part of your tax return to buy those things? I don’t think that’s wrong at all. Sometimes we need to treat ourselves to some reasonlable purchases so that we don’t end up binging and making things worse. If those dishes and silverware (which were bought at reasonable prices) make you smile and feel a little better, but didn’t cause you to go into more debt, I don’t see anything wrong with it. We can’t totally change who we are and what we enjoy. IMO, the best we can do is try and make some concessions on both sides of the argument to come to a point where we are comfortable.
Tricia responded:
Posted: May 20th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
mapgirl – how true you are!!

hunter – thank you for the words of encouragement and for your offer for advise. I have a feeling I will be visiting your blog often – it’s looking great so far. Feel free to link to my blog if you like – I would be honored

kim – you bring up some great points. Those dishes were paid with cash and not credit so that was a step in the right direction. There is a happy medium that has to be reached with me when it comes to spending. I haven’t wrote about it yet, but my husband and I had a little argument today over how much I have been sending extra to credit cards and not leaving anything for “living life.”

Who would have thought just the emotional side of debt would be so rough?
Blogging Away Debt » Blog Archive » Maybe I Have the Makings of a Millionaire After All responded:
Posted: July 20th, 2006 at 8:29 pm
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