The 12 Step Porgram

Its scary to admit you have a problem, but freeing yourself from your addiction is the only way to take control of your life and save yourself from going down a negative path. Below are 12 steps that are essential to overcoming you addiction and getting you life back.

12 Steps to Recovery from Shopping Addiction & Debt

1. Join a group like DA (Debtors Anonymous) to gain a support structure with people facing similar issues.
2. Create a budget. This will allow you to see all of your finances as an overview and convey the importance of not overspending.
3. Create a plan to pay off debt. Plans should be specific and actionable. What debts do you have, how much do you owe, what are the minimum payments and interest rates, etc.
4. Recognize the difference between need and want. When you go shopping, make a list of “need” items only.
5. Recognize any impulses you may have. Was the impulse for a need or a want? You need to think each impulse through to create awareness. Do NOT beat yourself up over these impulses, just learn from them.
6. Pay by cash. Credit cards are great tools for some, but if you have a shopping compulsion, get rid of your cards! If you need an emergency card, keep it at a family member or friend’s house.
7. When you shop, bring someone with you that is not compulsive. They will serve as a “grounding” force to make sure you don’t go overboard.
8. Separate the classification of who people are from what they own. She is not “Jill, you know… the blonde woman with the nice Mercedes?” She is now “Jill, you know… the woman from Church with the 3 adorable children?”
9. Discount warehouses provide a great savings. But not for people who can’t control their spending! The sheer amount of products in these stores and good bargains may drive you to shop. Would you send a recovering alcoholic to Mardi Gras? A gambling addict to Las Vegas?
10. Try and figure out why your impulses are there. You keep having an urge for fancy dinners. Is it because you associate that with love? What would meet that need but be healthier for you, mentally and financially? A picnic in the park? A homemade dinner?
11. If you truly enjoy window shopping, do it after hours when all the stores are closed. Or do it without bringing a wallet. Either way, you get to look, but can’t buy.
12. Finally, you have gained power over your spending. You control your spending, now… not the other way around.

(Source MyLifeRoi.com)