1. You Have a Ton of Excuses as to Why You're Not
“I need these clothes. Everybody needs clothes, it’s a necessity. What, am I supposed to dress myself in a plastic bag?” You could be a candidate in a political debate, your internal reasoning for shopping is so on point. It’s no surprise that you wouldn’t consider yourself a shopaholic. You could be suffocating under a hoarded pile of shopping bags, but you’d still be able to convince yourself you didn’t have a problem.
2. Your Family, Friends, and Coworkers Tell You That You Are
When everyone around you tells you that you have a problem, it might be time to re-evaluate yourself.
3. You Have Anxiety When Your Credit Card Bill Arrives
You put off reading it for a few days. If it sits under your bed or in a desk drawer for a while then you don’t actually have to pay it, right? No? Is that not how it works?
4. You Don't Discriminate
Stores, online, catalogs—you’ll shop however you can.
5. You Always Qualify For Free Shipping
Spend $100 to get free shipping? Well, how could you not? I mean, in the end you’re saving money. Now that’s a deal you can’t pass up.
6. You Hide Your Shopping Bags and Packages
Not that you’re ashamed with your purchases, obviously. However, maybe bringing in all your shopping bags into the house isn’t the greatest idea. A family member/roommate might see, and the subsequent conversation of how much you spent and "do you really need all this stuff?" is one you’d prefer to avoid.
7. You've Never Left a Store Empty Handed
There is always something you can buy, and furthermore you’ve never bought just one item from a store.
8. You Send Your Packages to a Trusted Friend's House
You no longer can have packages sent to your house, so instead you send them to a trusted friend who enables your addiction. The next day you are able to smuggle your purchases into your room without being detected.
9. The Post Office Workers Know You By Name and Sight
You receive so many packages the Post Office workers recognize you and know your name without having to tell them. The same goes for the workers at your favorite store.
10. You Buy Three Different Sizes of One Item, Just in Case
Sizes can differ if you order online. To make absolutely sure your clothing will fit, you just order the same shirt in three different sizes. That’s the easiest solution, obviously.
11. You Have a Secret Room for Your Purchases
It could range from your closet, under your bed, to the crawlspace in your basement no one looks in— you have a designated space you put all your purchases. More often than not that space is crammed full.
12. Your Fingers Twitch When You Spot a Sale Sign
Sales are your weakness because it gives you an excuse to buy more than you normally would. Ironically you end up spending more than you usually do.
13. You Know the Layout of the Local Mall Blindfolded
Nobody should know the layout of a large mall that well, unless they are planning a heist.
14. You've Considered Buying an Exotic Animal
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
15. You Buy Outfits for Your Pets
Again, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Your pet does not need that Ralph Lauren polo. Nor does your pet need a raincoat with a matching hat and booties. Buying these items when you don’t even have a pet is even sadder and another indicator to re-evaluate your life.
16. Your Loved Ones Have Staged an Intervention for You Numerous Times
Family gatherings can be painful enough, but when your shopping habits have become the main topic of conversation, do yourself a favor and cut back on the shopping.
