oh shit, I spend money too... What I've started to do to stop it is get myself focused on some sort of neverending task. ex. tightening screws. You ever look to see how many screws are in the house? start tightening.... Also, organinizing CD's or kitchen stuff... I'm guessing these things only work for me, but you get my point.
Best of luck! try to refocus!

Ha! That is great... although I'm not sure that would work for everybody. My mum has suggested that I write all the little things I NEED in s litte note pad and never buy anything that isn't on the list, and then when I get the urge to spend money at least it will be something I need! I guess it's a good idea to write the list when you are feeling stable, so as to not get confused with needed items and luxury want items. Mind you, this whole process is a lot easier in theory! LOL

I save up all those needed items and then go on a buying spree for them, lightbulbs, kleenex, toilet paper, hair shampoo, etc. Works for me.

I also try to pay bills ahead, gives me a real thrill.

I put a load of stuff on my wish list on Amazon. All impulse buying kinda stuff. Then I wait a couple days and look at the list. I almost never want to buy the stuff after 2 or 3 days.

Or, I give to a fav charity.

Chop up ALL of your credit cards! I'm serious! If you haven't already done so, do it NOW!!! BP + Credit Cards = Disaster!

Brainwave! Don't you think the perfect BP job would be something along the lines of a personal shopper? I'd love to work for someone mega rich and just go on spending sprees for them... I'd still get the thrill without the massive dent in my budget!

Oh, I've also found keeping a strict budget to be extremely helpful. I find it helps me resist buying things I can't afford if I know exactly where my money is SUPPOSED to go. I've created an awesome budget using excell, I record every single thing I spend and always know how much is in my bank account. When it all balances out and I am keeping on top of it all, it is almost as much of a thrill as shopping itself!

I like to feel in control.

Another really helpful thing re spending. I found that when I used to go on massive shopping sprees all the time, I would often forget what I would actually spend my money on, and it would just seem to disappear. Becoming aware of where your money actually goes is huge advantage.

There is an awesome website called expenseview.com and helps you record everything that you spend your cash on. I record absolutely EVERYTHING on there, from coffee to bills. It also breaks down all your spending categories into percentages, so it's really helpful in showing you where your money is disappearing to. Check it out!

I like the bill idea. And I used to save my receipts so I could return stuff after the heat of the moment.
I'd also suggest clonazepam and seroquel. Works like a charm.

i love to shop. i love decorating so my girlfriend wants me to do her house...she gave me her AMEX card and said go for broke!

as long as im shopping it ok fine to me!

i also buy music and movies online. there very cheap and it satisfies my need to shop.

im starting to paint again so buying what i NEED helps and slows me down.

these work for me. good luck

oh and im a catalog shopper which it makes it that much worse. when i get a catalog i go thru the whole thing marking what i want and put it away. i look in a couple of days and i find i no longer want them and throw the catalog away

yea i agree that seroquel works well for everything mania and depression and anxitey and the voices to.i love the idea of being a personal shopper. i spin in circles untill i cant cause im to dizy.

I've only had a couple of times where overspending has gotten way out of hand. and I'm still hurting from the last one in September.
One thing I do is, when I'm mildly in the mood for spending every last dime in my pocket, I look for stuff on a good sale, and buy stuff I will need in the future anyway.

But lately, I have gotten all stocked up on that stuff, so I'm not sure what else to do.

Another thing I read about, is learning to recognize the early signs of a manic episode (can be different for different people) -- for me it is usually needing less sleep (staying up ALL night on DS!!!) and/or a shorter temper than usual. If overspending is a common problem, you could prearrange with a well-trusted relative or friend, for you to give them your credit cards and other access to your money, and have them give you an agreed on amount for you to spend each week. They can pay your bills, etc. Whatever you need to do to keep you from spending more than you should.

You do that until you've had at least 2 or3 days of proper sleep again. If you get your $$ back in your hands too soon, you could still spend it all in those last few moments of mania. So you have to be sure you're back on track first. Kind of a headache, but better than continuing to be in debt forever.

Tricks ?

There are no 'tricks', mania knows more tricks than you can poke a stick at.

Tricks:
1) I don't buy anything for the house for weeks, then I go at it.
2) Keep receipts for everything you buy. Then you have another trip to the store to get your stuff back.
3) Buy small stuff on the internet. Yes, it adds up, but I can absorb $130 from time to time, kids get the books and toys, etc.

Dont have credit cards. Dont have a debit card.

Have high credit card debt bills pasted around your house.