Verified by Psychology Today

To Buy or Not To Buy

Why we overshop and how to stop.

Addiction
My Shopping Addiction Airs October 15th

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on October 14, 2012

My Shopping Addiction, a new reality TV show, will air on October 15th on Oxygen!

My Shopping Addiction, a new reality TV show, will air on October 15th on Oxygen!

Wisdom
Crazy About Money: How Emotions Confuse Our Money Choices And What To Do About It

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on April 5, 2011

Maggie Baker's book, Crazy About Money, offers a comprehensive look at our complex and variable relationship with money throughout the course of our lives.

Maggie Baker's book, Crazy About Money, offers a comprehensive look at our complex and variable relationship with money throughout the course of our lives.

Diet
Eat, Shop, and Be Merry?

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on February 25, 2011

I attended a national conference on eating disorder, where one of the keynote speakers asked the audience what we thought were the two major activities traditionally pursued by women to deal with life's ups and downs. She then answered her own question: "Dieting and shopping."

I attended a national conference on eating disorder, where one of the keynote speakers asked the audience what we thought were the two major activities traditionally pursued by women to deal with life's ups and downs. She then answered her own question: "Dieting and shopping."

Addiction
The Web of Overconsumption Tangles Farther

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on January 14, 2011

Four recent reports from three continents-Europe, Africa, and Asia-point to the widening net of shopping addiction. Coupled with my recent post, "Compulsive Buying: A Passage to India?" there's more and more evidence that it poses a serious and worsening global problem.

Four recent reports from three continents-Europe, Africa, and Asia-point to the widening net of shopping addiction. Coupled with my recent post, "Compulsive Buying: A Passage to India?" there's more and more evidence that it poses a serious and worsening global problem.

Attention
Compulsive Buying: A Passage to India?

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on January 8, 2011

Recently, I discovered an article called "Attention Shopaholics" that was published in The Hindu, an Indian newspaper. To get a better idea about compulsive shopping in an Indian context, I contacted Dr. Sanjay Chugh, who was quoted extensively in the article.

Recently, I discovered an article called "Attention Shopaholics" that was published in The Hindu, an Indian newspaper. To get a better idea about compulsive shopping in an Indian context, I contacted Dr. Sanjay Chugh, who was quoted extensively in the article.

Addiction
Shopping Your own Closet

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on December 20, 2010

Last Wednesday, I had a delightful and very informative Skype call with Jill Chivers, an Australian woman who took her compulsive buying bull by the horns. She decided that for a full year she'd refrain from buying any new clothes and shop only in her own closet.

Last Wednesday, I had a delightful and very informative Skype call with Jill Chivers, an Australian woman who took her compulsive buying bull by the horns. She decided that for a full year she'd refrain from buying any new clothes and shop only in her own closet.

Addiction
Response to Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on December 15, 2010

As a reforming bookaholic and bargain shopper, I recently borrowed-borrowed, please note-a fascinating audiobook from the library, Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture, by Ellen Ruppell Shell.

As a reforming bookaholic and bargain shopper, I recently borrowed-borrowed, please note-a fascinating audiobook from the library, Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture, by Ellen Ruppell Shell.

Coaching
Takeaways From the Rebound and Recover Panel at the Texas Conference for Women

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on November 22, 2010

The panel, Rebound and Recover: Strategies for Emerging from the Recession and Taking Control of Your Finances, definitely delivered on the promise of giving the audience members practical skills and tools and I was delighted to be a part of it.

The panel, Rebound and Recover: Strategies for Emerging from the Recession and Taking Control of Your Finances, definitely delivered on the promise of giving the audience members practical skills and tools and I was delighted to be a part of it.

Addiction
The Smartest Way to Save: Why You Can’t Hang on to Money and What to Do About It

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on November 17, 2010

Samuel K. Freshman and Heidi E. Clingen’s new book, The Smartest Way to Save: Why You Can’t Hang on to Money and What to Do About It, is so deceptively simple and reader-friendly that you almost don’t notice until you’ve finished how comprehensive it is.

Samuel K. Freshman and Heidi E. Clingen’s new book, The Smartest Way to Save: Why You Can’t Hang on to Money and What to Do About It, is so deceptively simple and reader-friendly that you almost don’t notice until you’ve finished how comprehensive it is.

Pornography
A Web Filter for Online Overshoppers

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on November 17, 2010

As the holiday season rolls toward us, online overshoppers may find themselves hideously tempted. Internet merchants are leveraging their natural advantages in convenience, price, and selection, and, like bricks-and-mortar retailers, they’re starting holiday sales earlier than ever.

As the holiday season rolls toward us, online overshoppers may find themselves hideously tempted. Internet merchants are leveraging their natural advantages in convenience, price, and selection, and, like bricks-and-mortar retailers, they’re starting holiday sales earlier than ever.

Addiction
Kick Yourself If Need Be…Don’t Use Shopkick!

April Lane Benson Ph.D. on November 17, 2010

Yet another inviting technological marketing ploy has emerged this season—just in time for holiday shopping.

Yet another inviting technological marketing ploy has emerged this season—just in time for holiday shopping.