Saving Money & Wasting Less

Lesson 2: Let's go shopping

'Retail therapy'

'Retail therapy' is a modern phenomenon in the West, and it's growing. Simply put, retail therapy is excessive consumption as a form of therapy to fulfill an unmet need. Some people go shopping because they're bored, depressed or feeling stressed. Others suffer from retail therapy because they have a subconscious desire for more; perhaps because they have a suspicion that their lives are meaningless or empty, and try to fill them with 'stuff'. Buying 'stuff' makes them feel rich. Still others are simply seduced by the lights, sounds, bright colours, in the same way children are attracted to fairgrounds. (See an article about Retail therapy, and another about Retail therapy and affluenza)

As one report suggests, "Unhappy people are most likely to be trying to change their lives through purchasing." It was also found that 33 per cent of consumers displayed a 'high level of addiction to rash or unnecessary consumption.' (Retail therapy)

Many people these days say they feel unhappy, alienated, helpless, over-stressed, or depressed. Spending time in retail stores really can make people feel happier, but this is not because the stores are philanthropic and want us to be happy for happiness's sake. Retail stores employ the same psychological war games as supermarkets, and do everything they can to make shopping in them a mindless, pleasant, experience. Everything they do is designed to entice us in and keep us there.

If you're throwing money away on 'retail therapy' jaunts, perhaps you have a psychological problem or some unmet need. Obviously, if you're suffering from retail therapy, you can save a lot of money by curbing your addiction to shopping as therapy. Think about your shopping habits, and what they give you. If you really want to save money and the Earth, you can do this by simplifying, and by stopping your consumption of goods you didn't really want but have been seduced into buying.

Next time you feel like going shopping as 'retail therapy' realise that you are probably feeling unhappy or unfulfilled in some way, and so do something else instead to make yourself feel happier. See the website on Breaking the Habit.

Here are a few ideas for giving yourself a treat in a way that does not involve shopping for useless junk, or things you don't need:

• Take yourself on a 'date' to an art gallery, library or museum.
• Have a picnic in a park near where you live.
• Go for a long walk.
• Visit a friend who cheers you up (but not if she/he cheers you up by going shopping with you!)
• Do something you haven't done for a long time, but used to do in the past.
• Listen to a CD, tape, or old vinyl record that you used to love, and haven't listened to for a long time.
• Go through your house and fill a garbage bag with things you've previously bought on retail therapy jaunts and have never or rarely used, and then either throw the lot into the garbage, or give the items to charity.
• Arrange your own 'mystery tour' by taking a bus or train to somewhere you've never been before.
• Go into your garden with a sketch book and pencils or paints and try to draw or paint a picture (you don't need to show anyone).
• Take a long, luxurious bubble bath.

There are many other ways you can treat yourself that don't cost money and don't involve mindless consumption for the sake of it. If you find yourself thinking, "I haven't the time for those sorts of things" then how do you find the time for retail therapy?

If you find you still have an addiction to shopping for therapy, leave your money and credit cards at home. You may still get the happy, happy shopping feeling for nothing! If you are addicted to spending money, then perhaps you should consider counselling.

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