Oh, I totally feel you on that one Kiddo!!! Atleast that is all you are in debt, quick calculation for me puts me over $10k easily (but I will be paying them down soon as I find a Sugardaddy LOL!!!). So do not feel so bad, we are all in the same friggin boat!!! Maybe we need to make up a budget and stick to it, that way we can save some moola (easier said then done but then you can see where it is that it is going to). Here's to making a budget and sticking to it dude...Maria J.

Try to find other ways to release the temptation of spending..........you have to stop now before it gets unmanageable. Cut it up, dont use it, freeze it in a block of water so you have to thaw it to use it.........that gives you time to think about what you want to use it for.

Go online and fill a virtual cart then close the browser. You will get the "feeling" of buying without buying. Walk through a store and fill a cart, then put it all back. Although it is an impulse, you can curb it with some practice. I am much better than I used to be although I still have crazy urges when Hypo manic. I trained myself to stay within a budget..............cuz I dont have the money to throw away.

Good luck with it sweetie. Hugs

It is a good thing you are recognizing your spending habits are on the rise. My suggesstion is, give your money and debit/credit cards to your most trusted family member until you feel you can control your impulsive feeling to spend is under control. I am going through this right now. I have my g/f keeping an eye on my checkbook LOL
Aloha-Bonzai

hubby has my bank card cause i cant stop the urge to spend.

very good thing you caught it now rather than later.

i didnt catch it at all, hubby did. boy was i in trouble lol.

l can't stop the spending urge either credit cards like cheque books are a no no.....no loans or instant credit so give your cards to your dad or cut them up, if you need to use a card make it linked to a bank account so no funds in the account no spending or use a pay as you go one its the only way its what l do.

The moment you put things in place to help stop the spending then your monthly payments to the card companies mean something or else you'll keep treading water until your dads allowance isn't enough.

When you feel a little stronger than the spend urge help yourself because even if it takes couple of years to pay it off it can be done but you have to try to stop....good luck l know how hard this is.

I think the idea to give the bankcard to a trusted person is a good one. I've spent $5,000 since Christmas. :(

Money management has never been one of my strong points either. My husband and I have been through so much over the past four years, we have nothing left to spend. Back in the day we never knew how to save. My husband got obsessed with the way the stock market works a few years ago. When we start making money again, more than to pay some bills and get our water shut off for non-payment, we will buy stocks instead of stuff. Living without money for so long now has changed my ideas about spending. Now, if I could just get my relationship with making money back on track, things would be good. I will just keep trying.

Spending binges are a main symptom of BP and I've been totally guilty of that in the past. Since I finally accepted the BP dx a couple of years ago, I just consciously make a big effort to ask myself a minimum of three times whether I need something or not. And if it's a big purchase, I spend several months contemplating it.