Self-Care Shopping Edition

I’m an emotional shopper. Of course, I shop for any reason!

As a self-declared shopaholic, I have spent a lot of money on random items. Over the years, I’ve purchased everything from buttons to zippers and everything in between, Sometimes the items were needed and sometimes they were bought to fill a need. In 2024, I’m trying to curb my spending, save money, and shop with intention.

It’s not good so well.

We’re three months into 2024 and I still shop when the mood strikes me, despite no longer having a six-figure income and working three jobs to fill the gap. Part of the reason is that I’ve been leaning on my savings and the income from my three jobs. But instead of paying off credit cards and easing up on the shopping, I continue to spend money like I have an endless supply.

The main reason is linked to my childhood. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money. I was raised by a single mom who didn’t make much and depended heavily on public assistance. When that ran out, we’d have to wait until the first of the month before Mom had money. Sometimes that was at least a two-week wait.

It wasn’t as if things were expensive — they weren’t compared to today’s prices. Rent, food, and clothing were cheaper in the 80s than now. When Mom went grocery shopping, she’d come home with 15–20 bags for less than…