What is compulsive spending?
If you're not sure whether or not you are a compulsive spender here are some money habits that exist in compulsive spenders and some questions you may need to ask yourself.

• Do you shop or spend money as a result of an emotional up swing?
• Do your shopping habits cause emotional distress?
• Do you feel overwhelmed with the amount of credit card debt you have?
• Do you lie to others about what you have bought at the store and how much money you have spent?
• How often do you juggle money between your bank accounts? Are you constantly moving money from your savings to your checking account?
• Do you buy items with a credit card that you know you don't have money to pay for?
• If you answered yes to three or more of these questions it is likely that you are a compulsive spender. You however are not alone. There are millions of Americans that spend frivolously and cannot control their spending habits.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before you go shopping, or while you're in the store:

1. Do you really need it? We're talking about actually necessities here. Food and water are things you cannot live without; a new dress is probably something you can resist or hold off on buying even if it's on sale.
2. Can you buy it used? Chances are anything you can buy new at the store you will also find used. Look in the classified ads in the paper, check with local second hand stores, or just ask around.
3. Do you have enough cash to buy it? This is a no-brainer. If you don't have enough money to buy it, then don't.

How to start overcoming your spending impulses
The first step to curbing your spending impulses is to realize that you have a problem. The second step is to figure what to do about it. Here are some suggestions on how to help curb your spending impulses:

1. Get rid of your credit cards. There are a million and one excuses you can make about why you "need" a credit card. Stop making excuses and just get rid of them. If you buy impulsively they will only put you further and further into debt.
2. Carry Cash. The beauty of having cash on hand is that you only spend what you have with you; no more, no less.
3. Tack your spending. Usually, if you have a better idea of how much money you're spending each month you are more likely to spend less. Most impulsive spenders don't realize how many "little" things can add up to big things. Impulsive spenders can literally be "nickled and dimed" to death.
4. Avoid Temptation. If you know you spend impulsively then avoid places that will tempt you. Know what your weaknesses are and steer clear of them.

Ridding yourself is just one of the benefits of curbing your impulse to spend. And although curbing spending impulses can be frustrating and difficult, in the end it will be well worth the effort spent to do it