subject: From Shopping To Addiction [print this page] Today's world is a world of instant gratification. Sure, most people are still working hard for the type of lifestyle that they want to have.
Some might even say that they work too hard for the type of lifestyle that they desire. However, instead of working hard to get the things that they really desire or need, the majority of people are now forced to put in long grueling hours of work just to barely keep up with the lifestyle they have gotten themselves into from compulsive buying and excessive debt.
Back in "the good old days", people would work hard and save their pennies to be able to buy the things that they really needed and occasionally wanted. This is a great concept, and one that would keep many from compulsive or excessive buying.
Later, came along the concept of credit. This was a wonderful idea. To be able to buy something that someone really needed, such as expensive supplies to be able to construct their home so they did not have to wait to shelter their family.
Over time, they would sacrifice buying excess things, putting any extra money towards paying off their debt, until the debt, along with a little extra to the loaner, was paid. Now a days, people not only use this credit option for purchasing houses, but they use the credit option for buying anything from clothes to shoes to food to entertainment.
Have consumers crossed the limit? Many would still argue "no". Those who would not agree that consumers have crossed the line would argue that using their credit wisely gives them more freedom.
They would say that it gives them the opportunity to not only build good credit, but to receive rewards for using credit to make their everyday purchases. Credit users can earn anything from airline miles to travel, to getting money back.
The idea of free airline miles or free money sounds great! Though, is it really "free", or are people not only paying for these things themselves but overpaying for them through ever increasing interest rates?
Those who get themselves into debt and continue only making minimum payments each month most likely are paying for such rewards. If credit is indeed used with extreme caution, as in paying the balance off at the end of each month, such perks as money back and free airline miles would be great.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for most people. Despite the ever increasing warnings about the ease and financially suffocating dangers of getting into debt, it continues to happen all around.
Another severe problem that has branched off of this is shopping addiction. As with any other addictions, shopping addiction is very real and affects more and more people every year.
The idea of following a budget and staying within financial boundaries becomes ever more difficult when nearly all money transactions happen electronically and people have a concept of not needing money now to purchase whatever they desire. Experts suggest to make budgets and to be strict in sticking to them.
Also, pay off all debt as soon as possible, and prioritize needs and desires. Needs should always be top priority, however, there is nothing wrong with making occasional wise, fun purchases as well.
Just make sure that these purchases will last. For instance, it is okay to invest into some fun things that will give the family enjoyment for time to come.
Save up for a family vacation, or another example of a wise purchase that is also fun would be some good home entertainment to save money in the long run by not always having to go out and pay for entertainment. For instance, get the family a quality HDTV, and they can stay in and enjoy plenty of great quality entertainment at home.
People spend so much money when they constantly go out for expensive movies almost always accompanied by eating out and possibly even more shopping. If they have great entertainment such as an HDTV at home, in the long run, it can save money.
Just make sure to be wise in actually working toward paying things off. Another great way to stay out of debt is to make quality purchases that are needed or really wanted and then to eliminate excess purchases and to live within the income.
