Why Do We Spend Our Way Into Debt
This is not about how to get out of debt – this is about WHY we spend ourselves into debt.
Often people who find themselves deeply in debt wonder how they got in such a bad financial situation. That is because life moves by quickly and all those little and big expenditures go by in the blink of an eye. Anyone who has ever seen a product they REALLY want, and think they REALLY have to have, experiences this pattern;
First we see the product, item, thing, that we really want and MUST have. Then we think about it all the time. We think that the item, trip, or investment is going to make us have more fun, be more complete, even make ourselves happy.
The actual activity of shopping for, choosing, picking out, or imagining ownership, it the most fun you will likely ever have in relation to the item. Once the high of buying is over, it’s just simply a thing or an event that has come and gone. Your mind is now on to something else. This is why I always suggest that people find hobbies and “things to do” that don’t cost money. When you can experience fun and excitement without spending a dime, you will soon see your bottom line improving dramatically.
Getting High On The Buy
Compulsive shoppers are not getting high with ownership – they’re getting high on the buy. They’re excited and feel ALIVE when they are thinking about buying something, and when the rush is over, they are very quickly on to the next item up for bid.
If you can learn to enjoy your day, be “happy” simply living a cost-free life, you will feel much better. Your bank balance will come into line and you will be on your way to being debt free.
You will likely have to take out a debt consolidation loan to pool all your debts into one monthly payment, but if you follow my advice above, over time your debt will be gone and you won’t be building any more debt. This can be done, but it means making a lifestyle change. You CAN do it.
If you a have a living partner that is still on the spending spree then you are hooped. Make sure you get your family in on the changes and stop the bleeding (the debt creation game). This can cause some problems if your spouse andor children are steadfast in the mindset of “more is better”. You will have to try and guide your family towards a different lifestyle. You may think this impossible, but it’s not.
Take your family to places and activities that don’t cost you a penny. Take them for walks, take them to the lake, take them away from the malls and the stores and the TV set. The more TV you watch, the more you are likely to spend. The TV is nothing but mass marketing in steroids.
I know you have heard all this before, but when you become aware, and help your family become aware, you giving them the greatest gift of all – a life without bad debt and worry.
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