Shopping online is becoming increasingly more convenient. Purchasing everything from clothing to electronics to groceries online seems faster, easier, and, many times, cheaper. But, unfortunately, because it is so easy and convenient, it can quickly leave one vulnerable to overspending. Which in turn, may become a harmful influence on ourselves and our wallets.

The ease of opening your computer and purchasing anything at any time of the day seems like a positive. And it definitely can be. But when you are browsing your favorite shopping site daily with your saved credit card information, a positive can quickly turn into a negative.

What causes a shopping addiction?

People tend to over shop and spend online for various reasons. Some people use online shopping as a way to avoid social interactions or leaving the house. Some people can get obsessed with instant gratification. Or maybe a wide variety of available items at the click of a button. 

There are many reasons to use online shopping. You may find yourself buying extra items that you don’t need. Maybe you are shopping daily, or just browsing and purchasing stuff when you’re bored. These actions can lead to addiction. This, paired with targeted ads and our society’s materialistic nature, makes it easy to get caught up in shopping online too often and too much.

How to help a shopping addiction.

If you feel as though you are becoming addicted to online shopping, you can do a few things to help you stop. First, tell someone who cares about you. Opening up about an issue that is weighing on you can help immensely. And even if no tangible actions are taken, it can still be beneficial. Next, un-save your credit card information and create a budget. Finally, if the problem still persists, call a therapist or trusted financial advisor as soon as possible to help you get back on track.

So if you think you are experiencing an online shopping addiction problem, talk to a professional and your loved ones today. There is no shame in admitting this. And reaching out is the first step towards getting back on track!