WHEN you think of someone with shopping addiction, you probably picture US$5,000 shopping sprees and maxed-out credit cards.

    But the signs of a shopping problem aren’t always so obvious. “There are the big binge shoppers, and then there are the shoppers who are spending money where it’s a death by 1,000 cuts — in other words, no individual purchase is bad, but it adds up,” says Art Markman, professor of psychology and marketing at the University of Texas in Austin. If you’ve ever wondered whether you might be entering dangerous shopping-addiction territory, take a look at these signs.

    A week doesn’t go by without picking up something for yourself.

    These are small, seemingly innocent purchases you feel compelled to make several times each week, such as buying yourself a new lip gloss even though you have others in the same shade or new stationery even though you have plenty at home. These items don’t seem like a big deal on their own, but if you’re making multiple unnecessary purchases like these every week, it can signal a lack of impulse control.

    Buying something makes you feel “high,” but that feeling doesn’t last.

    You’re having a crummy day at work and decide to cruise a few of your favorite online shopping sites. Before you know it, you’ve ordered a blouse you didn’t realize you “needed” and are almost giddy with excitement over your new purchase.

    After the rush of making a new purchase, anticipating its arrival, and wearing or using it for the first time, you’re left feeling neutral or even guilty about what you bought. Then you move on to the next shiny object that catches your eye.

    You’re not paying off your credit card bill in full each month.

    Consider it a bright red flag if you have a credit card balance that carries over each month due to your shopping. “The warning sign that there’s a problem with your spending is the moment you start carrying a balance on your credit card,” says Markman. “You’ve crossed the line at being able to maintain some amount of fiscal responsibility.”

    You convince yourself that if it’s on sale you’re actually saving money.

    Stores have understood — and profited from — that aspect of psychology forever. “So you save 40 percent, but you’re still spending money,” points out Markman. “The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is an anchor — you don’t focus on, ‘I’m about to part with this amount of money,’ but rather, ‘Look at how much I saved by making this purchase.’”

    You justify your purchases.

    If you’re picking up a new pair of running shoes because the single set you own is falling apart, you clearly don’t need to explain yourself to anyone. But if you’re going for your fifth pair of black high heels, chances are you’ll either be trying to convince yourself or your partner why they’re so different than the other four pairs in your closet to make the purchase seem valid.

    “We can talk ourselves into almost anything, but most of us know deep down when we’re doing something we probably shouldn’t,” says Markman. “You have to be willing to listen to that little voice that you’re not doing the right thing and be honest that you’re buying too much stuff.”

    If you suspect you have a shopping addiction, which is an impulse control disorder, what can you do about it? Markman offers these tips:

    If you discover that your little purchases are adding up to a lot of money, think about what emotions are triggering these mini shopping sprees, as well as when and where you are when you make them. That can help you figure out ways to avoid those situations and come up with healthier distractions.

    One quick way to nip a frequent shopping habit in the bud? Only pay with cash or your debit card. The immediacy of seeing your money disappear is often enough to make people pause before they purchase.

    Ditch the auto-fill with your credit card information and shipping address when online shopping. It makes it all too easy to buy something without giving it much thought.

    Spend money on experiences. Save your money with the goal of spending it on an experience, such as a vacation with your partner or a dinner out with your closest friends. That will create positive memories. Or do some good by donating money to a charity that’s meaningful to you. (SD-Agencies)