Are You a "Shop-aholic"?

by Kathy Sena

Shopping Should be Fun, Not Costly to Family’s Finances

It isn’t pricey Manolo Blahnik boots or Prada handbags that tempt Michelle Delgado to grab her wallet and car keys and head out for some recreational shopping. It’s the less costly items – lipsticks, books, the latest CDs – that lure the 40-year-old mother of two from Simi Valley, California, when she’s at the store.

“I’m a huge Target shopper,” says Delgado, who considers a leisurely stroll through the department store’s aisles to be a great diversion when she has a few hours to herself. But those Target trips can be dangerous to the family budget, she says. “I go there for necessities – household supplies, toiletries,” she explains. However, paper towels and sandwich bags are not where Delgado’s shopping stops. She might find a discounted outfit that’s a must-buy for her 8-year-old daughter or a lipstick in just the right shade. “Each item by itself seems pretty inexpensive,” she says. “Then when I check out and the total is $96, I start thinking about how I really want to stick to a budget more.”

Delgado isn’t alone, of course. “Americans shop for recreation. It’s a part of our culture,” says Jonni McCoy, author of the books; Miserly Moms and Frugal Families.  The nation’s culture largely accepts consumerism – whether for necessity or luxury – as OK. At the same time, the financial stability of families is becoming increasingly unsure as credit-card debt rises and personal savings remain low. If a shopping spree damages a family’s budget or ability to pay bills, it’s time to re-consider the habit, McCoy says.

McCoy, whose “Ten Tips for Financial Success” puts recreational shopping off-limits, says shoppers who are worried that they are spending too much money can curb their habit by spending time thinking before they buy.

“Start using the ‘need or want’ strategy,” McCoy suggests. “Before you spend a single dollar on anything, ask yourself, ‘Do I really need this item, or do I just want it?’”