Money Tips for Moms

Money Tips for Moms
Shop ‘Till You Drop
by Tamika Nunley

Money Tips for Moms
Shop ‘Till You Drop
by Tamika Nunley

Are you a compulsive shopper? Clinical tests prove compulsive spending is the leading cause of financial death. Save yourself. Take this simple quiz to see where you stand. We all know a sister who’s got more spending issues than TV Guide, but what if that sister is you? Worse yet, what if you don’t know that it’s you. Clinical tests prove compulsive spending is the leading cause of financial death. And a lot of us, can’t stop the madness. Left unchecked, this sort of spending has damaged relationships, and ruined credit. It is a real disorder, complete with its own anonymous support group and 800 numbers. Take this simple quiz to see if you show signs of a compulsive spending habit, which could be the hardest the thing to kick as you prepare for mommyhood. For many women, the habit just transfers from shopping for themselves to shopping for their baby. Either way, unless you just got it like that, compulsive spending will ruin your financial plan.
If you answer Yes to more than half of these questions, then you may have a problem. Consider distracting yourself with other activities, shopping only when someone else is with you, or destroying (or freezing) all credit cards except for one for emergencies. You can also get help from organizations like Debtors Anonymous, which holds meetings nationwide.

1. Are all of your credit cards maxed out?                                                   
2. Are you ducking debt collectors? Or is worry over debts making you lose sleep or affecting your work
    productivity?
3. Do you get cash from your credit card to pay for rent or food?
4. Do you leave packages in a car, the front closet or your friends’ house to hide purchases from your
    partner?
5. Do you feel a need to shop rather than a desire to shop?
6. Do you have a sense of exhilaration when you shop and then feel guilty afterward?