Are you a compulsive shopper?

1. I typically return one out of five purchases I make.
2. I have lied about my purchases or their costs to my spouse, friends or colleagues.
3. My overspending has caused me to experience guilt, insomnia, fatigue and a sense of hopelessness.
4. I can correlate my overspending with overeating.
5. I am having trouble making ends meet and keeping creditors at bay.
6. I often turn to shopping as the antidote to feeling bored, lonely, angry, or frustrated.
7. When I go shopping, I am unable to return home empty-handed.
8. I find myself lying to my creditors or telling untruths to obtain new credit lines.
9. My shopping habits have interfered with my work.
10. My spending has caused problems in my marriage or my primary relationship.
11. I feel uneasy if I've not shopped in a week or more.
12. I am spending more than 30 percent of my income toward non-mortgage debt to support my shopping habits.
13. I have considered illegal or inappropriate means to raise money to support my spending habits.
14. I have experienced difficulty with eating disorders or sexual, drug, or alcohol addictions.
15. I find myself repeatedly resolving not to spend, only to relapse and binge-shop.
16. I find myself with the compelling urge to drink, drive, or wear status initials, i.e., Dom P, BMW, or DKNY.
    

Total your "True" responses. If your score is:

• 1 - 5: You've an indicator or two that trouble could be brewing around the corner, but you're hip to your issues and in a strong position to keep a check on things. Make note of any marked changes in your shopping habits. Cognizance of your behavior is your most effective tool for keeping your spending in check. Keep your good habits going!
  
• 6 - 11: Congratulations for admitting you're imperfect! However, you're within shouting distance of the slippery slope. Take a good look at the motivations driving your behavior. Know what money will buy for you, and get clear about what it won't. Don't rule out seeking advice from a credit counselor.
• 12 - 17: Red alert. Okay, well, things are a bit out of control, but now is no time to berate yourself. Chin up. Deep breath. Got to kick in some action because your previous attempts at control aren't working! Don't lose hope-thousands have been here before you and recovered from their shopping scourges. Go to www.debtorsanonymous.org. Relief is only a meeting away.
  
  Copyright 2002 by Sharon Durling