With holiday shopping season here, it’s not a bad idea to keep an eye out for warning signs that your purchasing is out of control. Here are some red flags that indicate your online shopping needs to be cut back.
You Overspend Often
It’s okay to treat yourself once in a while. It’s not okay to continually bust your budget on things you don’t need when your bills are overdue. If you often find the end of the month a trying time, it might be worth it to review your online shopping habits. If your credit card bills are heading consistently up, particularly while your income is feeling unstable, It’s time to cut back.
You Shop Due to Emotions
We shop for a lot of reasons other than need. There’s want, of course. But there’s also the matter of having a really bad day, or a fight with someone we value, or trying to establish control because other areas of your life feel so out of your control. As US News points out, it’s important to keep these impulses to a level that you can actually afford. One easy way to do that? Remove your credit cards from your computer and phone. The less seamless you can make the buying process, the more time you’ll have to think things over.
You’re Ashamed of Some Purchases
Shame is a horrible feeling. It’s not productive and it has no place tied to purchases (or anywhere, really). If you feel shame around things you’ve purchased online, that’s a huge red flag that something needs to change. Talk to a loved one or a professional about your shopping habits and get started on making a change for the better.
Original article by Chris O’Shea and adapted in partnership with SavvyMoney.