Did hit your credit limit this Christmas?
Chris Meaden, a hypnotherapist with expertise in trauma and anxiety, shared signs that your holiday shopping may have become “problematic” — and how to get it under control.
The savvy shrink told the Daily Mail that “spending beyond your means” and maxing out your cards are sure ways to know that your spending is “out of control.”
Meaden also noted that your shopping habits could be an issue “if you’re feeling compelled to shop to relieve feeling stressed, anxious, sad or even grief” — or “you feel guilty immediately after shopping.”
To help struggling shoppers, he revealed five tips to getting your shopping back under control.
“Budgeting is essential for mindful Christmas spending, as it will give you clarity on what you can realistically afford,” he said.
“It will prevent unplanned purchases, and it allows you to prioritize your money.”
He advised people to set strict purchasing goals to help them stay focused.
“For example, if your goal is to avoid carrying any Christmas debt into the new year, that intention can guide your decisions and prevent impulse buys,” he said.
Shoppers should also be mindful about why they’re spending and what they’re purchasing.
“Take ownership for where you spend your money and what you purchase,” he said.
“Don’t sacrifice your financial stability or emotional health for the sake of Christmas.”
Meaden noted that “dopamine and serotonin play a big part when purchasing either online or in store.”
“Are a few minutes of feeling great and buzzing with a purchase worth days, months or even years of feeling guilty about over spending?”
When being thoughtful about your shopping, try creating an “alarm bell” in your mind “‘whenever you feel the need to buy something” and check in with yourself — and your budget.
He also noted that managing your stress levels will likely help you manage your budget.
“You’ll make better choices and better decisions when you are not stressed so get into the habit of doing daily journaling or meditations or breathing techniques to keep your nervous system balanced and calm,” he said.
Meaden also suggests “filtering out” advertising to help ease the temptation.
But if you do overspend and end up with a credit bill as long as Santa’s naught and nice list, don’t be too hard on yourself.
“Learn from it – why did you overspend? Was it emotional or poor planning? Put in place a recovery plan, and adjust your budget to account for it. Remember, one misstep doesn’t define your financial habits,” Meaden advised.
Five tips to help keep your holiday spending under control:
- Set a budget and strict goals
- Take ownership of your purchases
- Create an alarm bell for your urge to buy something
- Manage your stress levels
- Filter out advertising
