As a marketing major, I have learned about why people become compulsive shoppers. It's fun to shop! I love doing it! The problem that people have is that they don't realize how much everything costs in the end. I'll take the grocery store for example. This was done by market researcher Ernest Ditcher (I love my major so I remember all these little facts...I'm such a dork
). While shopping at a grocery store, people throw anything they possibly need or want into their cart. They don't even think of the price...at that point, it's free to them. (that's why you never grocery shop on an empty stomach...I have some questionable stuff in my fridge that I'll never eat only bc I shopped while hungry) They don't realize that it has a cost until the check out line. So, my advice to you, if it's grocery shopping you're doing, bring a list and buy only what is on that list. You can even do that when it comes to clothes. If it's a shirt you need, go in and buy that shirt and NOTHING else. Bring friends with you who can drag you away when you start to melt over a cute $300 Kate Spade bag (this happened a month ago to me...I must say that I love my friends). My mom also taught me an important lesson while growing up. My dad always teased her about being cheap but some of her values were instilled on me. Spend only what you have. Credit cards are like the grocery store example I wrote about before. People keep putting things on the card cause it's as if the item is free. They don't realize the item has a price until the bill comes. Only put on your credit card what you can fully pay off at the end of the month. No paying only the minimum balance....that will get you in trouble. I wouldn't say cut up all your cards. Having credit cards is a GOOD thing. Without a credit history, you might not be able to purchase a home or you might have to put security deposits down on things that people with credit wouldn't have to. But, it is important to have GOOD credit. So, just make sure what you're putting on your cards can easily be paid off.