Struggling with Compulsive Overspending and Family Relationships

A real issue for me too…. I have trouble breaking even, but it helps me to “budget out” impulsive spending so to say…. Like $50 on Sat, $50 on Sunday, $25 on weekdays… that way I still let myself have impulsive purchases but it’s not several hundred per wknd! Imperfect but it helps. Never heard of the debtors anon… I’ll be looking into that

Does paying for things in cash help?Some people suggest paying for everything in cash to help.

for me, I can write out all the budgets, use (or pay for lol) all the budgeting apps or budget notebooks... Try to get my husband to manage our finances (but then I get 🤬 when he doesn't let me splurge- so that's not a fix). It's def an addictive behavior for me. I'm in recovery from a lot of things (I used to and maybe should still do OA lol) so binge eating and spending myself into oblivion are my remaining go-to's. Not great, but better than what I used to do 🍺🍻👃😵‍💫 I do appreciate all the people's advice here- but for some people it's more than a spending problem. Oh, also, when I was in the mil they made me have financial counseling 2x, we had the mandatory personal finance class when I got on base to in-process as an airman, I took other financial classes (personal and for school, because I was studying to become a financial advisor) and it's like.... I know the things. I'm aware of the principals. I know I should know how much is in my accounts and not spend over x amount and budget and yada. But 😮‍💨 it's like the people who told me to just have a drink or two when I was in active addiction/ alcoholism. It's often the goal, right? For the sake of being lighthearted, here's an SNL clip they showed in one personal finance class. I love it, but I don't live it lol https://youtu.be/R3ZJKN_5M44

i had a very similar issue when i was deep in my eating disorder. it was alarming how many times i would go shopping in a week, but i needed something to help me feel happy. i also intentionally spent all my money on clothes so i couldn’t buy any food. it got better as i improved in my ed and realized shopping was my way of coping. if you can identify what feelings trigger overspending, it could help you figure out what you need to work on to help with the shopping addiction!

Maybe you and your mom can set up a budget?

Debtors anonymous has meetings and a 12 step program for compulsive spenders, debtors, etc. I should be working the program but I don't. They have a lot of remote meetings. Unlike like a lot of people wrongly believe, 12 step programs are not religious and don't even need to be spiritual. Agnostics and atheists can also successfully work 12 step programs. Hope this helps!!