Behavior & Psychology

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A Simple Shopping Rule – Buy Once!

Last week’s post, “A New Twist on an Old Shopping Rule,” generated a lot of excellent feedback from readers.  Many agreed with the revised version of my sales shopping rule and shared their stories of how price has both positively and negatively impacted their buying success.  Some readers also shared additional suggestions related to sales shopping, including the use of the “power pause” when online shopping and utilizing sales watch sites to track when desired items are discounted.  I encourage you to check out the comments area of last week’s post if you’d like to learn more about such strategies.

While I loved all of the comments, two in particular stood out in my mind.  Both of those readers shared a variation on a theme so important that I decided to base today’s post on it.  Read on for the philosophy expressed by readers Mo and Carolyn, which Carolyn succinctly labeled as, “Buy once.”

Buy Once Shopping Rule

To shop smarter and increase purchase satisfaction, buy once!

Continue reading →

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On Social Exclusion and Compulsive Buying

The following is a guest post from Dagmar Verheij, a recent graduate of the Rotterdam School of Management.  Back in January, some readers of “Recovering Shopaholic” assisted Dagmar with her master’s thesis in Marketing Management by completing an online survey on their compulsive shopping thoughts and behaviors.  Although Dagmar’s hypothesis was not originally revealed, her research explored the relationship between social exclusion and compulsive buying. In today’s post, Dagmar shares her findings, which are quite interesting and thought-provoking!  I know I could see myself in a lot of what Dagmar reports, and I’m sure many of you will, too…

Social Exclusion and Compulsive Buying

How does social exclusion affect compulsive buying? Read on…

A few months ago, some of you helped me by filling out a questionnaire for my master thesis on the impact of social exclusion on compulsive buying. I would like to thank you for your help by sharing my findings.

It is ironic that for many people, compulsive buying seems to be strongly tied to their need for affection and support from others, but it also often results in distancing important others. Alienating other people could lead to a life of social exclusion. Continue reading →

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On Creative Math and Playing By the Rules

I’ve often shared that I learn a lot from my readers, and last week was definitely no exception. I received quite a few comments on my “March 2014 Accountability Update.”  Many of these comments were, in essence, calling me on the carpet for my “creative math” related to my item limit accounting.  I’m glad that some of my readers didn’t let me get away with changing the rules mid-stream and that they pushed me to take an honest look at my behavior and my justifications thereof.

Creative accounting

I was guilty of doing some “creative accounting” with my item limit.

Not only did many readers point out my creative math, they also offered helpful suggestions for how I might approach my shopping rules moving forward.  In today’s post, I share some of the recommendations I was given, as well as the conclusions and decisions I’ve reached following deep introspection over the weekend. Continue reading →

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10 Signs That You’re a Recovering Shopaholic

I’ve been writing this blog for over a year now.  When I started the blog, I selected the title “Recovering Shopaholic” as a way of declaring my intention for recovery to myself and to the world at large.  I also hoped to connect with and inspire fellow shopaholics who want to overcome their compulsive shopping habits.  Over the course of this past year, I feel very fortunate to have achieved some measure of success on both fronts.

I went shopping the other day for the first time in about a month.  As I left the mall, I was struck by a very strong feeling of “maybe I’m cured.”  I didn’t feel the same “pull” or exhilaration for the activity of shopping as I used to feel.  My mind was clearly “running the show” rather than my emotions and I felt very pleased at the shift in both my thinking and my behavior.

Peaceful woman on the beach

There is life beyond compulsive shopping…

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Following Up on Closet Personality Types

Before I delve into today’s post, I’d like to share something with you.  Recently, Imogen Lamport of “Inside Out Style Blog” asked me to do a post for her “Stylish Thoughts” series.  Well, my guest post went live on Monday!  Click here to check it out…

Today’s post is a follow-up to last month’s article titled, “What is Your Closet Personality Type?”  As a reminder, that article was based upon a video from Bridgette Raes on the five basic closet personalities.  In my post, I presented an overview of the various types and shared some personal thoughts and experiences with each type.

At the end of my post, I mentioned that Bridgette had offered to answer questions from readers of “Recovering Shopaholic” on the topic of closet personalities.  I’m pleased to say that Bridgette outdid herself in her responses!  She was very comprehensive and I’m excited to share more of her style psychology wisdom with you today. Continue reading →