About spending

Spending is using money to buy goods and services.

Addiction to spending, a “real” addiction?

Officially an addiction?

First, let’s have a look to the DSM-5,the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Does it includes spending addiction?

There is not currently a diagnosis for spending addiction in the DSM-5, the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, there is a diagnosis for compulsive buying disorder, which is characterized by persistent and excessive buying behavior that causes distress or impairment. While spending addiction is not currently recognized as a formal diagnosis, it is possible that it could be included in future editions of the DSM.

So what means “spending addiction”?

Spending addiction, also known as compulsive spending, is a condition in which a person cannot control their spending. They may spend money on things they cannot afford, or they may spend money on things they do not need. Spending addiction can lead to financial problems and debt.

What is considered spending addiction?

• 1. Preoccupation with spending: A person with a spending addiction is preoccupied with thoughts of shopping and spending money. They may think about shopping all the time, and plan their activities around it.
• 2. Compulsive spending: A person with a spending addiction feels a strong urge to spend money, even when they can’t afford it. They may make impulsive purchases, or go on spending sprees.
• 3. Spending to relieve anxiety: A person with a spending addiction may use spending as a way to cope with anxiety, stress, or other negative emotions. They may feel a temporary relief after making a purchase, but the feeling is short-lived and is usually followed by guilt or regret.
• 4. Negative consequences: A person with a spending addiction may experience negative consequences as a result of their spending, such as financial problems, relationship difficulties, or work problems. However, they continue to spend despite these consequences.
• 5. Unable to stop spending: A person with a spending addiction may try to stop spending, but find it difficult to do so. They may make promises to themselves or others to cut back on spending, but be unable to stick to them.

How much spending is too much?

Spending too much time on spending would depend on the individual. Some people may feel that they are spending too much time if they are spending more than an hour a day while others may feel that they are spending too much time if they are spending more than four hours a day.

Some online shopping addiction facts & statistics

We can provide you with some statistics related to online shopping addiction:

• 1. According to a study by CouponFollow, 57% of online shoppers admit to making a purchase they regretteddue to compulsive shopping behavior.
• 2. A survey conducted by Finder.com found that 23% of Americans have made a purchase they regretted while under the influence of alcohol, highlighting how impulsive online shopping can be.
• 3. A study by Harris Poll found that 81% of Americans have made an online purchase in the past year, and 20% of those shoppers made purchases at least once a week.
• 4. According to a survey by Statista, 42% of online shoppers in the US reported spending more moneyonline than they had intended.
• 5. A study by the University of California, San Francisco found that online shopping addiction affects approximately 5.5% of the US population.

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Is the spending addiction widespread?

Yes, there are many people who struggle with compulsive spending and shopping addiction. These individuals may feel a sense of euphoria or relief when they make purchases, but may also experience guilt, shame, and financial difficulties as a result of their behavior. It is important for those struggling with compulsive spending to seek professional help and support in managing their addiction.

Why is spending so addictive?

There is no one answer to this question as everyone experiences spending differently. Some people may find spending addicting because it provides them with a sense of instant gratification, while others may spend compulsively in order to keep up with others or cope with underlying emotional issues. Ultimately, the reason why spending is addicting for each individual may vary.

Possible causes of spending dependency

There is no one answer to this question as spending addiction can be caused by a variety of factors. Some people may develop a spending addiction as a way to cope with underlying emotional issues, such as anxiety or depression. Others may become addicted to spending as a result of peer pressure or a need to keep up with the latest trends. No matter what the cause, spending addiction is a serious problem that can lead to financial ruin.

Signs & Symptoms of spending addiction

Now let’s see if you have the spending addiction problem.

• 1. You spend impulsively, without thinking about the consequences.
• 2. You often spend money on things you don’t really need.
• 3. You are unable to stick to a budget.
• 4. You often use credit cards to make purchases.
• 5. You often find yourself in debt.
• 6. You feel anxious or guilty when you think about your spending habits.
• 7. You have trouble saving money.

What are some benefits of spending

There are a few key reasons why spending can be great:

• 1. It can help boost the economy. When people spend money, it helps businesses to thrive and grow. This in turn can lead to more jobs and opportunities.
• 2. It can help you to enjoy your life more. If you have the money to spend, you can treat yourself to things that make you happy. This can improve your overall quality of life.
• 3. It can help you to make memories. Spending money on experiences, like vacations or concerts, can create lasting memories that you can cherish for a lifetime.
• 4. It can be a form of self-care. Sometimes spending money on yourself, like getting a massage or a new outfit, can be a much-needed form of self-care.
• 5. It can make you feel good. In general, spending money can make people feel happy. This is because buying things releases dopamine, which is a feel-good chemical in the brain.

But at the opposite, what can be some spending addiction problems addicts suffer from?

general health problems

The effects of spending on your health can be both positive and negative. On the positive side, spending on health care can improve your overall health and wellbeing. It can also lead to early detection and treatment of health problems, which can save lives. On the negative side, spending on health care can also lead to financial problems, as well as increased stress levels.

spending and sleep disorder

Yes, it is possible that overspending or financial stress can lead to sleep problems or sleep disorders. Financial worries can cause anxiety, which can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Additionally, overspending or financial difficulties can lead to long-term stress, which can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to insomnia. It is important to manage your finances and seek help if necessary to reduce the impact of financial stress on your sleep and overall health.

spending affecting your brain & mental health: bad for brain and mental health?

Some effects of spending on your brain

• 1. Spending can lead to debt, which can be a major source of stress.
• 2. Spending can lead to financial problems, which can also be a major source of stress.
• 3. Spending can lead to materialism, which can lead to a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction.
• 4. Spending can lead to a loss of control, which can be very frustrating.
• 5. Spending can lead to a feeling of powerlessness, which can be very discouraging.

Some effects of spending on your mental health

• 1. Spending can lead to anxiety and stress.
• 2. Spending can lead to financial problems.
• 3. Spending can lead to impulse buying.
• 4. Spending can lead to buyer’s remorse.
• 5. Spending can lead to consumer debt.

Does spending cause stress and anxiety?

Yes, spending can cause stress or anxiety for several reasons. Overspending can lead to financial issues, which can cause stress and anxiety about money management.

Additionally, a person may feel guilty or anxious about spending money on non-essential items, especially if they feel they should be saving instead. Lastly, comparing oneself to others who may have more money to spend can cause stress and anxiety about one’s financial situation.

Can spending addiction lead to sadness and depression?

Yes, spending addiction can lead to sadness and depression. People with spending addiction often experience negative emotions such as guilt, shame, anxiety, and stress, which can lead to feelings of sadness and depression.

Additionally, excessive spending can lead to financial problems, which can also contribute to sadness and depression. The cycle of overspending and negative emotions can be difficult to break, and seeking help from a therapist or counselor may be necessary to address the underlying issues and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Dopamine and spending

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with the brain’s reward system. When we engage in activities that are pleasurable or rewarding, such as spending money, dopamine is released in the brain, creating a sense of pleasure and motivation to continue the behavior.

Research has shown that dopamine can play a role in our spending behavior, as it can lead us to seek out pleasurable experiences and rewards, such as buying new clothes or going on a vacation. However, excessive spending can also lead to a dopamine addiction, where individuals become reliant on the pleasure of spending and may struggle to control their spending behavior.

Overall, dopamine can influence our spending behavior by promoting the pursuit of pleasurable experiences and rewards, but it is important to be aware of the potential risks of excessive spending and addictive behavior.

spending effects on Focus, productivity, attention span, academic performance…

Yes, spending habits can affect focus, productivity, attention span, and academic performance in several ways.

• 1. Stress and anxiety: Overspending or being in debt can cause stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact focus, productivity, and attention span.
• 2. Lack of resources: Spending money on unnecessary items can leave you with fewer resources to invest in your education, work, or personal development, leading to lower academic performance and productivity.
• 3. Distractions and temptations: Spending too much time shopping or browsing online can distract you from important tasks and reduce your attention span.
• 4. Prioritization: Managing finances requires prioritization skills, which are essential for academic success and productivity.

In summary, being mindful of your spending habits and maintaining a healthy financial balance can positively impact your academic performance, focus, productivity, and attention span.

A word about ADHD and spending

Yes, people with ADHD may interact differently with spending. Some common traits associated with ADHD, such as impulsivity, distractibility, and difficulty with planning and organization, can lead to impulsive or compulsive spending behaviors.

People with ADHD may have difficulty with self-control when it comes to spending, and may struggle to resist the urge to make impulsive purchases. They may also have trouble sticking to a budget or managing their finances in a systematic way.

Additionally, people with ADHD may be more susceptible to the effects of marketing and advertising, which can further contribute to impulsive spending behaviors.

However, it is important to note that not all individuals with ADHD will struggle with spending. With proper treatment and support, people with ADHD can learn to manage their finances effectively and develop healthy spending habits.

affecting your relationships

spending and self-esteem

Spending can affect self-esteem in both positive and negative ways.

Positive:
– Purchasing items that align with personal values or goals can boost self-esteem by providing a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
– Buying items that enhance physical appearance or self-expression can increase confidence and self-esteem.

Negative:
– Overspending or living beyond one’s means can lead to financial stress and a decrease in self-esteem.
– Comparison to others who may have more or better possessions can cause feelings of inadequacy and lower self-esteem.
– Impulsive or regretful purchases can lead to feelings of guilt or shame, which can lower self-esteem.

Overall, it’s important to be mindful of how spending habits can impact self-esteem and to prioritize spending in a way that supports personal values and financial goals.

spending addiction leads to isolation and loneliness?

Yes, spending addiction can lead to isolation and loneliness. When someone is addicted to spending money, they may prioritize their spending over social activities or relationships. This can lead to feelings of isolation as they may miss out on social gatherings or activities due to financial constraints or feeling ashamed of their spending habits.

Additionally, if the addiction leads to financial problems or debt, the individual may become more withdrawn as they try to hide their financial situation from others. This can further exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Effects of spending on your relationship

Positive effects:

• 1. Strengthening bond: Spending time and money on your relationship can strengthen your bond with your partner. It can help you build trust and intimacy with each other.
• 2. Creating memories: Spending money on experiences like vacations, date nights, and other activities can create lasting memories that you can cherish for a lifetime.
• 3. Improving communication: When you spend money on your relationship, you are more likely to communicate openly and honestly with your partner about what you want and need.
• 4. Boosting happiness: Spending money on your relationship can increase your overall happiness and satisfaction with your life and your partner.

Negative effects:

• 1. Financial stress: Spending too much money on your relationship can lead to financial stress and strain on your budget. This can cause tension and conflict in your relationship.
• 2. Dependency: If one partner is always the one spending money on the relationship, it can create a sense of dependency and inequality in the relationship.
• 3. Unrealistic expectations: Spending a lot of money on your relationship can create unrealistic expectations and put pressure on your partner to spend more than they are comfortable with.
• 4. Ignoring other priorities: Focusing too much on spending money on your relationship can cause you to neglect other important priorities like work, family, and friends.

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Finally you think you are addicted to spending and you are wondering how to quit it? How to break and overcome your cravings for spending?

Here are the best solutions, steps, supports, resources and help you can get to treat your spending addiction.

Main steps and solutions to break the spending addiction

The main steps to getting rid of spending addiction are:

• 1. Recognize that you have a problem.
• 2. Understand what triggers your spending.
• 3. Make a plan to change your spending habits.
• 4. Stick to your plan and track your progress.
• 5. Seek professional help if needed.

Actually, that’s what most documentation out there is about… However, quitting a digital addiction can be a bit trickier than that.

So our team, after testing many ways, designed a bulletproof way to overcome them. Here are some clear and practical steps that are very powerful to quit a digital addiction, including spending:

1. Purge temptations: Get rid of spending

First, cleaning your life from temptations is much easier than resisting to them. Disable or delete your spending accounts, change the password and hide it somewhere you can’t access easily, keep your phone / computer far away… Out of sight out of mind.

Here is a video from our course the The Digital Purge. on how to add resistance to your temptations, so you become so lazy to engage with them that you give them up:

More of the Digital Purge