3 Signs You Over Spent This Christmas

Every year parents spend their hard earned dollars on kids (good and bad) so they can wake up on Christmas morning filled with glee from all of the gifts that “Santa” got for them. If you’re like me, you try not to tell people what you’ve purchased for the kids in your life for fear of being judged, accused of an addiction or being told that you’re over doing it.

This year I went shopping with my mom and after returning to the car, she kept telling me how I purchased so much. I wanted to say, “And…..” but I didn’t. After doing all of my shopping it occured to me that she may be right. But I don’t care, or do I?

Spending money on my loved ones feels great today and I’m sure their faces will be accessorized with large grins on Christmas morning but what about the day after. The feelings you experience on the day after Christmas will let you know if you went overboard.

Below are a few signs that you may wake up on December 26th with a shopping hangover once you realized that you broke the bank and it’s too late to ask for your gifts back.

You Keep Looking At Receipts

After shopping you continue to look at the receipts in your purse or wallet in hopes that the dollar amount spent will change. Sorry to be a downer but you did spend $80 on your nephew at T J Maxx and you most certainly purchased a $60 video game for your son. Constantly looking at the receipts will not make your money reappear in your pocketbook.

You Convince Yourself That The Purchases Were Necessary

During moments of loneliness you have persuasive conversations with yourself. “Self, Nikki deserved that gift, she’s a great friend” are things that may be discussed. Anytime you have to convince yourself that you were justified in spending the amount you did then you probably over did it.

You Donate Gifts to Others to Give as Gifts

Your girlfriend calls you in a frenzy because she has nothing for her mother in law and lucky for her, you’ve got her covered. You’re such a shopaholic that you purchase gifts just in case someone stops by without calling. Sidenote: No one ever stops by without calling. It’s great that you want to be prepared but when you have so many gifts that you can give your gifts to someone to be “re-gifted”, then you’ve spent way too much.

If you haven’t figured it out already, I am guilty of all three offenses. Each year I over buy gifts and I love it! I am not ready to attend the monthly meeting for the Shopping Addicts Support Group but if you are guilty of my shopping crimes and you admit you have a problem, then good for you.

Happy Holidays!