Educational Resources

Compulsive Shopper?
For Sale – One Attractive Home!

Compulsive Shopper?

Some consumers are driven to increasing their debt only when they’ve been negatively affected by a job loss, medical bills, etc. It is easy to understand turning to credit cards temporarily when a family member loses their job and ends still have to be met. It becomes a case of survival. However, not all credit card usage is so necessary. There are consumers that drive up their debt because the act of purchasing provides a stimulus or comfort they aren’t receiving elsewhere. The intangible they get from purchasing becomes a driving force in their life. They are known as the compulsive shopper.

Sometimes, credit card debt is attributed to filling an anxiety-driven need that could be more effectively and positively managed through a different activity than shopping. However, shopping becomes the tool that makes one feel better, good enough, rewarded or less ‘empty’ in some way. The increased debt becomes the ever-present, resulting punishment. Being able to spot purchase triggers and to recognize compulsive shopping behavior are two important elements of financial control.

What triggers you to buy? Take a look at the chart below to see if you recognize any of these shopping triggers that may be adversely affecting your debt situation.

Emotional: I am sad, happy, lonely, empty, etc. and I need to shop to feel better, celebrate, to feel whole. I usually feel happier or more satisfied at the checkout.	Competitive: I enjoy my hobbies, sports, cars, etc. and have to have the best, the newest or more gadgets, equipment, options. More stuff means I am serious about my hobby or sport or that I am affluent and my car reflects that.
Deserving: I am a good person, hard worker and I deserve to buy nice things. I give so much, I am owed this purchase. I have earned the right to splurge.	Obsessive-Compulsive: I look everyday for the sales, bargains, coupons, ads, store cards offering an additional 5% off if I sign up for one. If something is on sale, I have to go that early that first day and buy in bulk if possible.

Having one or two shopping triggers does not immediately equate to a compulsive-shopping problem. However, it can mean that there are factors that affect your shopping and debt, extending them beyond what is necessary and perhaps manageable and could lead to financial difficulties down the line. So, how do you know if you are a true, compulsive shopper?

Take a look at the table below. The more statements one identifies with, the more serious their shopping compulsion may be.

Feel great while checking out	Shop out of emotional, competitive, deserving or obsessive need	Wouldn’t know what to do without credit cards
Spend very little cash on purchases, even though the purchase may be affordable	Feel an increased sense of self-worth with purchases	Family members and/or friends complain or remark negatively about one’s shopping
Sometimes hide purchases because others may not understand	Suffer from buyer’s remorse after a purchase and feel guilty and depressed	Accommodate spending by juggling accounts and finances
Argue with others about your spending	Binge shop for certain items or during certain times of the year	Spending sometimes feels like a ‘sin’
Accumulate so many items that many go unused or unworn	Lie to others about spending or purchases	Thinking or worrying about money and/or purchases constantly resulting in distress and/or disruption

If you can relate to several of the statements above, you may be a compulsive shopper. To improve your financial situation, start by learning how to control of your spending and recognize shopping triggers. Here’s how.

Make it a point to pay with cash and cut up all credit cards but one.
Use the remaining card for emergencies only.
Lock the remaining credit card it in a safety deposit box or put it in the back of the freezer.
Resolve to only buy truly necessary items – forgo impulse purchases and those relating to your particular shopping triggers.
When you feel the shopping bug tugging at you, stop and think about why you find it so important to buy right then. Are you angry? Are you depressed? Are you looking to buy something to ‘keep up with’ someone else you know that has it?
Allow yourself to wait a few days before actually purchasing to see if your mood and the decision to buy changes.

The driving forces behind compulsive shopping are underlying issues that haven’t been met. These unmet issues most likely have nothing to do with the what is being purchased in any way. They tend to run much deeper. Should the control measures above not help you to reduce compulsive spending, please consult a reputable, non-profit credit counseling agency or a psychologist specializing in shopping compulsions for further assistance.

For Sale – One Attractive Home!

The look of your home has a direct impact on its sellability. An attractive, well-maintained home sells faster and at a higher price than a home that has not been polished and maintained. Some buyers do look for property to renovate and are not concerned with its initial attractiveness; however, most buyers are looking for homes that instantly grab them. Blame it on psychology, but we gravitate toward that we think is attractive. So, if you’re in the market to sell your home, it’s never too soon to make your home sparkle.

The attractiveness of your home includes both its interior and exterior attributes. Don't know where to begin? Think of the process a prospective buyer goes through as they come to see your home.

Would-be buyers will drive by your property before arranging an official walk-through.
If you have an alley behind your home, they may also drive down the alley to view the backyard, garage or carport.
During an official walk-through, they’ll have a close look at both the exterior and interior often going from the front of the home, then to the main floor, second floor and attic (if you have either), basement, and finally, the back yard.

Rule of thumb when creating home appeal for a sale is to start outside and work your way inside.

OUTSIDE
Curb appeal can make THE difference between would-be buyers just driving by your home and those who take it to the next level and call to arrange a walk-through. Keep in mind that the attractiveness of a property doesn't just correlate with beautiful objects or characteristics. Neatness and cleanliness are also factors.

Clean dirty siding and repair or replace broken windows, lights or fixtures such as stair railings.
Add flowers to make your residence look more homey. Annual flowers can inexpensively add color and beauty–just remember to water them.
Clear sidewalks or paths around your home of debris.
Remove clutter from your basement and garage. If you have many storage boxes in your basement or garage, consider moving them temporarily to a storage facility.
Focus solely on keeping the grass mowed and shrubs trimmed if you’re on a very tight budget.

INSIDE
Once you’ve finished sprucing up the exterior of the property, move inside. The best advice for sellers regarding creating interior appeal is not to do costly changes unless the improvements are actually needed. Smaller, routine improvements that cost less are to be expected.

Patch small holes, caulk, paint rooms, trim and unfinished basement walls, etc.
Clean the interior thoroughly. Take out the trash more often and have the dishes washed and put away. Make sure to clean cabinets, windows, trim and bathrooms.
Remove clutter and dust. This allows potential buyers to examine your home better and doesn’t give the feeling that you’re trying to hide problems. Also, the openness and simplicity stemming from a lack of clutter enables buyers to better visualize what they could do with the space after they buy your home!
Open curtains and blinds and let the sun shine in. Sunshine creates an open, airy and positive feeling within the house. In Feng Shui, you’re bringing in positive chi via doors and windows. When selling a home, you want all the positive chi you can get!

After raising the beauty quotient of your home, you’ll need to keep the interior and exterior clean and uncluttered during the entire sale process. Your house could sell fast or it could take months, depending on the market. Regardless of the market, definitely set your home apart from others for sale in your area by creating that ‘WOW, I can’t walk away from this one’ impression in the minds of would-be buyers.