5 Ways to Combat an Online Shopping Addiction
Many of us might joke about our shopping addictions or be quick to call someone a "shopaholic," but to the truly afflicted, the issue is no laughing matter.
Oniomania was first described over a century ago, but there was little interest in exploring it further. Only in the last decade has the condition become more recognized and monitored, and there is growing evidence that as much as 8.9 percent of the American population is affected by the addiction.
The rise of e-commerce sites, online auctions, flash sale and deal-a-day sites, and readily available credit have made online shopping a compulsive and especially dangerous habit for many consumers. Online shopping is an anonymous experience, and without handing over cash, it's easy to feel like you aren't really spending money.
If you are struggling with online shopping compulsion, here are some tips to help combat the problem:
1. Unsubscribe from all promotional emails.
When you get a promotional email, do not click on "display the images." Instead, go straight to the unsubscribe link within the message. Do not mark these emails as "spam" or "trash" -- that won't stop them. Unsubscribe from every single promotional email you receive, especially coupon, flash sale and auction sites, which are some of the most addictive shopping experiences.
2. Block Internet access to your favorite sites.
You can restrict your computer from accessing certain sites by blocking them on your preferred browser. You can go through the entire operating system or network router, or you can use web-filtering software to automatically block them for you. A service like OptenetPC acts as a bouncer between your computer and the Internet; it completely blocks you from accessing certain sites. Simply pick which kind of sites you want to block (shopping, pornography and violence are just a few options), and let a friend choose the password so you won't be tempted to disable it.
If that's too extreme an option, try a basic monitoring system like Covenant Eyes on your computer. The tool monitors websites visited and search terms used and lists them in a simple, easy-to-read report. Designate a trusted friend or family member, and give that person access to the site to keep you accountable for your online activity.
Make sure you also clear your cookies and cache regularly to avoid falling victim to retargeting advertisements -- where retailers follow your online behavior and continuously serve up ads promoting their products.
3. Delete shopping apps from mobile devices.
Shopping apps are particularly dangerous for all consumers -- not just addicts. Just visit a site like appcrawlr.com and read the reviews on the most popular shopping apps. You'll see testimonials like, "My online shopping addictions is totally optimized by this app," and "I'm starting to think convenience is contributing to my shopping addiction."
And that's exactly right -- shopping apps make it way too convenient to spend money online. There is little opportunity to contemplate purchases, and the trigger for the addiction is right at your fingertips -- it often takes just one or two clicks to complete a sale. Delete any and all shopping apps from your mobile devices. You don't need them.
4. Retrain your brain.
Retail therapy is very real. A study last year from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business showed that going shopping and choosing to buy something actually reduces sadness in people. And another 2013 survey of 1,000 adults by The Huffington Post found that 1 in 3 people shop to deal with stress.
Instead of relying on retail therapy to lift your mood, teach your brain to seek out a different experience. What emotion is driving the compulsion? Are you feeling sad or out of control? Are you just looking for a thrill? Identify the negative feeling, and look for an alternative solution. Many experts and recovering addicts recommend self-soothing techniques such as exercising, calling a friend, writing, reading a book, repeating positive affirmations or even volunteering for a charity to beat the blues.
There's also an online shopping addiction app called Placebo Effect, which started through crowdfunding on Indiegogo. The app creates inspiring messages featuring the faces of your loved ones to help you rethink your spending habits. An app for online shopping addiction may seem a little out there, but the idea of surrounding yourself with positive messages and inspiring people might be the fix you need.
5. Get help.
Like any other addiction, compulsive shopping can be managed successfully with treatment, therapy and support groups. Surround yourself with people who can relate to your experience and provide guidance. Also get involved with helping others as a way to keep yourself accountable and committed to recovery.
Moneysmartlatina.com founder Athena Lent used to have a shopping addiction and admits she did a lot of impulse shopping when she was younger. "Only when I got to the bottom of my issues of what my problem was did it get better, which included therapy and meds to regulate anxiety and depression," Lent says. "I still have to be really careful with my money, but learning about personal finance and budgeting, having support and using coping mechanisms help tremendously." Today, she uses her experience to teache others how to get their spending under control.
Hello, my name is Mohd Azahar. I'm a self-employed Pivrate from the India.
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