Mental Conditions Forum - Obsession - money : I am consumed with saving money

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Q: Obsession - money : I am consumed with saving money

asked by: reinke on October 22nd, 2005

New User

Please someone help me! I am really in a hard situation. You see, I am consumed with saving money. To start off with, I am unable to work and on social assistance and they only give me $500.00 after rent canadian to live off for the whole month. (that's about $375.00 u.S.) well, I am so obsessed about making my dollar stretch that I will not allow myself ever to eat out, go to the movies-i don't even bye new clothes. If it is not on sale, I don't bye it but whatever I do bye I feel soooo guilty that I almost cry and I feel awful. Today I bought a microwave for 40% off and I am just thinking about that I might regret it and that's all I can think about and it is driving me crazy. I am stingy and selfish because I am so cheep and I feel awful. Once I bought some grocheries then I found a coupon for a dollar off that I could have used and I actually cried for 2 hours! My boyfriend is frusturated with me because I am so obsessed. I feel dumb posting this but I need help! And, while part may be because I am on such a low income I still think I would feel guilty if I bought something I didn't really need if I had a million dollars. What should I do!?

Replies(4)

healthy7821644

replied on May 6th, 2008

New User

a couple thing of the top of my head that you could ask yourself/explore on your own:

do you have a hard time doing things for yourself that aren't related to money? (in other words do you have difficulty in taking care of yourself in general?)

are there any times when you do buy something and *don't* feel guilty or bad about it, and if so, looking back, was there a difference in feeling at the time in terms of your purchasing decision, (and what was the difference)?

do you ever buy something, feel bad about it, but looking back on it realize it was a good purchase and you used it as much as you thought you would?

are you perfectionistic in other areas of your life?

i'm not sure if you were looking for advice on "what do do" in terms of contacting professional help, finding a support group, etc.; it can help sometimes to try to make sense of these things on your own.

antigone

replied on May 7th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

It sounds like you may have some anxiety issues. Tight financial situations can certainly trigger anxiety. Have you considered see a doctor concerning this? Medications can be helpful for chronic anxiety. This may help alleviate the obsessive thought pattern and allow you to feel less guilty about spending on necessary items. A therapist may be able to offer you some feedback on how to work on changing your thought pattern and help you recognize when the thoughts start creeping in and how to change them.

TMJWorld

replied on May 8th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

i know that i myself like to pinch pennies even though i dont have to. i hate spending money and if i need somting i worry about not haveing the money to do it. you arent alone int this.

sarasue

replied on June 11th, 2009

New User

I know how you feel. I have the same problem. I am obsessed with saving and I experience such anxiety and anger and guilt when I spend money on myself, but mostly it's just on items that I don't need, but want. Maybe it's a self evaluation of sorts. It's the extras in life that maybe we should have but don't feel worth. Just a thought. Maybe, try to treat yourself to something small, like an ice cream cone or something like that and then try to graduate. I'll try that too. There must be something deeper that triggered this anxiety or it's a transference of another type of anxiety. I shall pray for us. Bless you.

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