Battling the Charm of Retail Therapy

There are two forms of retail therapies in this world. The right kind is when you get to spend some hard-earned cash on things you like. Shopping is happiness, and while it might bring temporary comfort, it is also an activity we all enjoy.

The other kind of retail therapy is slightly more severe. Very much like overindulgence in food can result in problems, becoming a shopaholic is troublesome and for many people requires treatment. The same holds true for online gambling, which has seen a new lease of life over the past few years.   

First, we must look at the problem. Whether it is shopping uncontrollably or playing online games continuously, the most obvious negative of it all is the monetary loss. There have been cases where individuals have wiped out their credit cards and gone into debt, unable to pay for what they have bought. Understanding the patterns of compulsive buying is a vital step towards recovery. Similarly, when playing on online casinos, one needs to keep a check on their actions to make sure they don’t fall deep to the point of no return.

Now, these problems that we face are not exclusive to any one thing. A quick solution, one might think, is to let go of everything. No more shopping. No more online casinos. But that is not the right way to go about it. The plan should be to make use of all the resources available and form the right balance that allows you to enjoy the advantages of these activities without getting harmed.

Use Debit Cards

The best way to limit your retail purchases is to use only debit cards. Unlike credit cards, there is no credit limit in this case, which means you can never spend more than what you have. Better yet, use cash. However, this does not mean you spend everything you have on the card. Spend a little time on organising your expenses and set aside money for unforeseen problems. Then, whatever you have left is for you to spend as you wish.

Enlist on Gamstop

While you cannot self-exclude yourself from online shopping sites, the same isn’t true for many of the online casinos. Gamstop is a program that helps you stop visiting a specific online casino. It is a drastic step, but one that is required in some cases. However, you can check all casinos not on Gamstop that can be useful should you feel confident about coming back at a later stage. Again, it’s never about entirely cutting off, but working towards finding the right balance. 

Don’t Shop and Play Alone

Taking help from friends and family is essential. They can guide you in the right direction and be there should a weak moment arise in the future. An excellent way to limit your spending is to shop and play with someone who can monitor you. This way, you have support nearby all the time, and you don’t have to give up on the things that you like.