Day 20 - shopaholics anonymous

Out of curiousity, I googled shopaholics anonymous:

http://www.shopaholicsanonymous.org/

On it was a "compulsive buying scale", I took the quiz. Here it is to see if you fall into a compulsive buying category. Sorry the formatting is kinda wonky because I just copied and pasted: (I have also kind of tweaked the definition of the rating scale)

Compulsive Buying Scale © Valence. D’Astous & Fortier

Please express the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Please place an X on the line that best indicates how you feel about each statement.

• That's me! (5)
• Not all the time, but sometimes (4)
• Meh - I don't have a strong opinion about that (3)
• I kind of don't agree that I'm like that - rarely?! (2)
• Nope, that ain't me, sista! (1)

When I have money, I cannot help but spend part or all of it. (Uh hello! Money in the wallet = money out of the wallet. That's why I try not to keep too much cash in my wallet - maybe not on shopping but definitely on food or other stuff)

I am often impulsive in my buying behavior.(Ok yeah, I don't sit there and mull over if I want something for days. If I want it, like it, I buy it!)

For me, shopping is a way of facing the stress of my daily life and relaxing. (So occasionally, after a stressful week, I will go get myself something - perfume, book, clothes, etc. Add a couple glasses of red wine in there as well)

I sometimes feel that something inside pushes me to go shopping.(Usually not inside, but outside - my friends! ha)

There are times when I have a strong urge to buy.(Yup! Albeit - much less often then before)

At times, I have felt somewhat guilty after buying something, because it seemed unreasonable.(Yup! Did I really have to get another pair of jeans?)

There are some things I buy that I do not show to anybody for fear of being perceived as irrational in my buying behavior.(My mum, my Dad)

I often have an unexplainable urge, a sudden and spontaneous desire, to go and buy something. (Yup! Especially when I feel like there is nothing in my closet that I can wear that I haven't already worn a million times)

As soon as I enter a shopping center or mall, I have an irresistible urge to go into a shop and buy something.(Well now, I wouldn't be there in the first place if I didn't want to get something, no? What a dumb question.)

I am one of those people who often respond to direct mail offers.(Hmm...not sure what this means, so they mean sales? )

I have often bought a product that I did not need, while knowing that I have very little money left. (Ok,not that I have very little money left, but I have bought stuff that I didn't necessarily need - see below)

I am a spendthrift (Def: someone who spends money wastefully. Wastefully - defined as of no use, worthless. Maybe....thinking back to when I bought a box of Febreeze - still in my room rotting away, or a few dresses bought over 2 years ago that are still hanging in my closet with the tag on :P)

I have sometimes thought “If I had to do it over again, I would…” and felt sorry for something I have done or said.(Who hasn't?)

Calculating your score:

• • Each X that you placed corresponds to a number: 5 for “strongly agree”, 4 for “somewhat agree”, 3 for “neither agree nor disagree”, 2 for “somewhat disagree, and 1 for “strongly disagree.
• • Add together the 13 numbers for your Xs to get your total scale score.
• • Compulsive buyers tend to score 42.2 or higher.

Where do you fit in? LOL - I have a funny feeling that a few of you are "compulsive buyers" as well *wink*

I won't name any names *ahem*