The Blog

Abundant and Redundant Possessions: What is Your “Enough”?

05/01/2014 By Nancy Borg With 2 comments

shoes_optA typical day in a life of just about every woman I know….

You went shopping and gravitated to a really pretty black top.  You did what the average fashionista would do. You bought it. Yep, yet another (but new) black addition to the already abundant and redundant collection of your other really great black tops.

Shoes are arguably a different story, because there is a variety of color, style, and heels to consider. These purchases can be more easily justified. Ditto to dresses, but how many pairs of jeans do you really need?  Skinnys, flared, and boot legged; black, blue, and colored, I get it.  But when is your ‘enough’?

Let’s be clear, this is not gender-specific. Men love to shop too. I’ve witnessed many men’s closets with abundant collections of ties, belts, dress shirts, golf shirts, belts, sport caps, and sneakers.  Seriously.

The caveat: This behavior does not suggest you are a compulsive shopper.

Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) is “characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying behavior that causes adverse consequences. According to Kellett and Bolton , compulsive buying “is experienced as an irresistible–uncontrollable urge, resulting in excessive, expensive and time-consuming retail activity [that is] typically prompted by negative affectivity” and results in “gross social, personal and/or financial difficulties”.  CBD is frequently comorbid with mood, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, OCD, and mania.

There are many people who love to shop and acquire that do not suffer from this addiction because they have the ability to set limits or they can afford the impulse. It could also be more about a realistic mindfulness of finances and/or physical space.

Whether it be small to large acquisitions or gender-specific, we all have our moments when we succumb to our individual weaknesses.  These unique indulgences are hard to defy and can span from big boy toys like cars and large electronics, to even smaller new and shiny toys for our irresistable children. Embellishing our homes with new decor are purchases that may be an ongoing process too.  Chotkes may fill our hearts with joy but they can ultimately fill and overwhelm the home, if there’s little or no regard for ‘enough.’

Yet even with the parameters in mind (affordability and space), there is still a danger in over-acquiring.  Just because you can afford to, doesn’t mean you need to have it. So when does it become too much for you? 

Could it be when…

    • You’ve realized you don’t wear 80% of your wardrobe? (You tend to wear the newest items when you want to look your best)
    • Your closets are noticeably getting more crowded?
    • Can’t find what you’re looking for anymore?
    • Too many options and too many choices have complicated decision-making (you’ve noticed you have a lot of the ‘same’) How many black tank tops are too many and how many do you actually wear?
    • You’ve noticed you have an increasing number of junk drawers?
    • Every horizontal surface in your home has too many frames or chotkes on them?
    • The kitchen gadget drawer is out of control (and you don’t even use most of them)
    • Keeping up with the ‘latest’ technology is costing you money and space (let go of old and ‘dated’ smart phones, TV’s, computers, and printers)
    • Your collection of sunglasses needs its own terminal.
    • The garage has more bicycles and cars than people living in the house.

     
  • These are just some of the red flags that might alert you that ‘enough’ is indeed enough.  Do any of these resonate with you? When and what are your ‘enoughs’?

 

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The 4 Pitfalls of On-line Shopping; Does it Make “Cents” for you?

05/01/2013 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

get-attachment_opt-2Uh oh, here comes that UPS and FedEx truck. Again.  Do you even remember what you bought or when?  When we shop virtually, it’s often a spontaneous purchase.  Instant gratification, both visually and emotionally. It appeals to our senses that impact our impulse to shop. It’s the thrill of the hunt and the immediacy of the acquisition, that gives us a real charge.

But make no mistake about it, there are consequences to this convenience. The potential of over-acquiring may not be realized “in the moment.” Once it’s purchased, it’s easy to forget about the transaction altogether.  It’s on a cloud somewhere, right? This can be dangerously delusionary.

Pitfall #1.   It’s only when the shipments start arriving that you realize you must find proper homes for the new arrivals. Do you have the ample space?  Or, because it was an on-line purchase , there’s a good chance it’s either ill-fitting, or not the product you thought it to be. Or, you realize you already have something just like it. You might be asking yourself, ” what was I thinking?”  Oops, a change of heart.

Pitfall #2.  So now you have to fill out the return authorization forms and send it all back. Or perhaps, you want to exchange or request a new item and start the process all over again.  For some, this circuitous routine can be far too arduous a task that it never gets done at all. When unwanted packages of newly purchased items accumulate, it is senseless clutter. It provides value to no one. So if you are frequently disappointed with on-line purchases, stop making them.

Pitfall #3.  The reality is that on-line shopping is super easy peasy, isn’t it?  The Technology becomes the enabler. But in the interest of “buying better, not more,” maybe the question we should be really asking,” isn’t it a little bit too easy, and potentially very costly?”

It’s so difficult to resist the pull of a great bargain, or the tease of a simple “click.” But don’t be lured into the virtual trap, it can be very risky.

Before you type in your credit card info, know that you will be accountable for it.  Maybe not right in that instant, but eventually. Since you’re not signing a receipt, swiping a card, writing a check, or taking cash out of your wallet,  your brain may not be making the connection that real money has been exchanged. Do not be romanced by the pop-up ads on your computer and spend money you don’t have.

Pitfall#4. Unfortunately, only limited stores offer free shipping.  Shipping and handing fees are an added cost and can get prohibitively expensive.  Sometimes the shipping costs are more expensive than the item itself.  Somewhere in the self-talk, you would have to think about if this even makes any sense.

On-line shopping definitely has its pros and cons. Clearly, some of us are more successful with it than others. For the busy or working individual, this is a great option.  However, if you are not an educated consumer or you struggle with decision-making, this can cost you more time and money than it’s worth.

Retail shopping has its advantages too.  If we can inspect the quality, touch, or try something on, we can determine right there and then if it works for us. Think about it, it eliminates the guesswork and can potentially save us a lot of time. We still have the option of returning or exchanging, but we can avoid the shipping back and forth and delayed credit reimbursements.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether you’re an on-line junkie or an avid retail shopper, enjoy your shopping! Just be sure it makes both “sense” and “cents” to you! I wonder, what is your preferred style of shopping?

If you share yours…I promise to share mine 🙂

 

 

 

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Are You a Compulsive Shopper?

01/31/2013 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

shopaholic_optCan you go shopping without actually buying? Do you tend to buy the first thing you see?  Do you merely shop, just to shop?

Despite the compromised economy, people are still shopping.  The levels may vary, but there are notably all different kinds of shopping going on.  No doubt about it, shopping is a favorite pastime.  People love to shop.  It’s a validation that we’re doing OK, and it gives us pleasure to indulge ourselves. It feels good to buy something new.  But we must set limits or addiction can easily ensue.

Sometimes we shop with purpose and motive, and so our purchases are intentional and gratifying.  Other times, shopping can mean merely browsing with no specific expectation at all.  You know that kind of day… when we meander into a store looking for absolutely nothing in particular. That’s the day when we are badgered by the pushy salesperson, grit our teeth and politely respond with a “just looking, thank you.”

The “shop & return-er” is a victim of indecisive purchasing and can frequent the stores on a daily basis because they struggle with making decisions.  And then there’s the shopper that loves to “shop around ” which suggests they’re being smart educated consumers who typically research everything prior to any purchase.

The compulsive shopper and the impulsive shopper can be more problematic.  I think that compulsive shopping differs from impulsive shopping.  Can you make the distinction?

The average middle-income compulsive shopper may be struggling with deeply rooted obsessive addictive behaviors. Make no mistake about it, it is costly and dangerous and likely to place one in severe debt. Especially for those who spend more than they can afford and struggle with compulsive acquiring, seeking professional help is highly recommended.

If you are an impulsive shopper, your purchases may apt to be more rash. These decisions are often made with little or no thought.   How many times have you veered off track and purchased something for yourself, while shopping for another person? As for me?…too many times to count, really.  Guilty as charged.  Generally speaking (very), an average impulsive shopper can usually afford their indulgences.  And if regret weighs too heavy in hindsight, the item is usually returned without much issue.  Oops… change of heart, no biggie.

So what kind of shopper are you? Can you leave a shopping mall empty-handed?

If you’re up for the challenge, here’s the ultimate test in self-control.

  • Try strolling through the mall, spritz a new fragrance on your wrist and take pleasure in it for the rest of the day, without buying it.  Eliminate the regretful purchase.  If you still love it when you get home, you can purchase it another day.
  • Walk into Brookstone and sit yourself on every massage chair and play with all the latest gadgets, and walk away from the temptation of buying the latest technology. That’s a trap that keeps on luring.
  • Try on a piece of clothing because you admire it or just want to try it on, not because you have to own it.
  • Browse the stores for great gift ideas for a future occasion and avoid the crunch time of finding the perfect gift when you need to.
  • Walk away from bargains.  When tempted with sale items, don’t be lured into buying more just because they’re on sale.
  • Be mindful of over- acquiring perishable products at stores like Costco.  It can easily defeat the purpose of the sale because the expiration dates often beat out the inventory.

Shopping does not have to mean purchasing.  It can still be a fun activity without breaking the bank or even having to take out your wallet. You can still appreciate, discover, admire, and find joy without the need to acquire it.  Affordability is not always the real issue.  Just because you can afford it, doesn’t mean you should buy it.  Contemplate, prior to purchasing and ask yourself:

  • Do I really need it?
  • Can I afford it?
  • Do I have something just like it at home already?
  • Do I have room for it? /where is it going to live in my house?

 

No matter what your financial status is, it is always wise to be cognizant about how we spend, and what we buy.  The fact is that there is a potentially infinite amount of things to purchase in this world, but we should remember that there is not an unlimited amount of space in our homes to accommodate them.  There cannot be an endless parade of incoming without the natural flow of outgoing.

So when you shop, just be smart. Buy better, not necessarily more. Happy shopping! Would love you to share your thoughts and your bargains 🙂

 

 

 

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What Kind of Shopper Are You?

10/19/2011 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

Can you shop without actually buying? Do you buy the first thing you see?  Do you merely shop, just to shop?

Despite the compromised economy and reported decreases in retail sales, people are still shopping.  The levels may vary and there are notably all different kinds of shopping going on.  Sometimes we shop with purpose and motive, and so our purchases are intentional and satisfying.  Other times, shopping can mean merely browsing with no specific expectation at all.  Ya know that kind of day… when we meander into a store looking for absolutely nothing in particular. That’s the day when we are badgered by the pushy salesperson, grit our teeth and politely respond with a “just looking, thank you.” The “shop & return-er” is a victim of indecisive shopping and can frequent the stores on a daily basis.  And then there’s the shopper that loves to “shop around ” which suggests we’re being smart consumers who educate and research, prior to the purchase.

No doubt about it, shopping is a favorite pastime.  People love to shop.  It’s a validation that we’re doing OK, and it gives us pleasure to indulge ourselves. It feels good to buy something new.  But there must be limits set or addiction can easily ensue.  Make no mistake about it, compulsive shopping differs from impulsive shopping.  Can you make the distinction?  A compulsive shopper is engaged in obsessive addictive behaviors. It is costly and dangerous and likely to place one in severe debt. For those who spend more than they can afford, and struggle with compulsive acquiring, seeking professional help can be very effective.

If you are an impulsive shopper, your purchases may apt to be rash, and decisions often made with little or no thought.   How many times have you veered off track and purchased something for yourself, while shopping for another person? As for me?….too many times to count, really.  Guilty as charged.  Generally speaking, a healthy impulsive shopper can usually afford their indulgences.  And if regret weighs too heavy in hindsight, the item is returned without issue.  Oops… change of heart, no biggie.

So what kind of shopper are you?

If you’re up for the challenge, here’s the ultimate test in self-control.   Try strolling through the mall,  spritz a new fragrance on your wrist and take pleasure in it for the rest of the day, without buying it.  Walk into Brookstone and sit yourself on every massage chair and test all the latest gadgets, and walk away.  Try on a piece of clothing because you admire it, not because you have to own it. Browse the stores for great gift ideas for a future occasion and avoid the crunch time of finding the perfect gift when you need it.  Walk away from bargains.  When tempted with sale items, don’t be lured into buying more just because they’re on sale.  Be mindful of over- acquiring perishable products at stores like Costco.  It can easily defeat the purpose of the sale because the expiration dates often beat out the inventory.

Shopping, nonetheless, can still be a fun activity without breaking the bank or even taking out your wallet. You can still appreciate, admire and find joy sans the need to acquire it.  Affordability is not the real issue.  Just because you can afford it, doesn’t mean you should buy it.  Contemplate, prior to purchasing and ask yourself:

  • Do I really need it?
  • Can I afford it?
  • Do I have something just like it at home already?
  • Do I have room for it? /where is it going to live in my house?

 

With holiday spending on all of our minds and the challenging economy still impacting our daily lives, now is a great opportunity to evaluate how we spend, and what we buy.  Buy better, not more.

Happy shopping!

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