https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:13:32 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping/page/2#post-1044715 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:08:47 +0000 donnat 1044715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am totally guilty of this. No job, no money, no place to go,but i can still shop.<br /> Jeez i sound pathetic!<br /> Ylf has taught me to stop shopping for my fantasy life. I also try to not wear the sale goggles anymore.<br /> If i had a job i wasnt happy in, i would be spendin. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping/page/2#post-1044694 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 12:13:10 +0000 Janet 1044694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you. I *do* know where I learned it though! Easy. My mom was an emotional shopper, and I am too. There are so many attractions for me -- visual stimulus, a feeling that you're being productive (even if it is an illusion), the chance that you will find something that makes you feel pretty, etc. </p> <p>It's more dangerous for me now that I'm self-employed. I can shop anytime! But I really get into the danger zone when I'm feeling discouraged, depressed, or unmotivated. Shopping is an awesome procrastination tool. </p> <p>Oh, and my husband is such an enabler. That doesn't help. But I try to reign it in when I feel I'm getting a bit crazy. I tend to go feast or famine. Not shop for a few months and then binge a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping/page/2#post-1044676 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 11:37:14 +0000 Mochi 1044676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually don't end up buying a lot, but it's alarming how much time I've been spending on pointlessly looking at stuff online. I mean it--an hour can go by without realizing it.&nbsp;</p> <p>It's weird how we do things to cover up for something else. It's good you don't do this with food, though.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping/page/2#post-1044659 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 10:34:35 +0000 krishnidoux 1044659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good for you! You *deserve* to keep your money for something else. You *deserve* to explore what is wrong, and work it out.&nbsp;</p> <p>Great post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044653 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 10:21:57 +0000 rute 1044653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's why I'm challenging myself to live a couple of months on a capsule wardrobe!<br />I was shopping too much!<br />Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044649 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 10:04:44 +0000 Hil 1044649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dana - I so hear you... I am also inclined to shop for therapy. A few years ago, I made a point of stoppong the shopping because my store accounts were far too high for my liking and I stopped spending and paid them off. Trouble was I think I replaced my shopping habit with an eating habit... :/ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044632 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 08:14:40 +0000 VenusCow 1044632@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The healing process for any addiction is confession because once you realise you have a problem you are closer to solving it. You have already deduced you cannot buy a life in any store only things to go into a life already established. Well done and keep focused. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044630 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 08:04:46 +0000 Lyn D. 1044630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I shop when I am bored and have time to kill,&nbsp;I guess.<br />Things are better now that I have some lovely items and try to stick to a list.<br />Joining you in a SYC &nbsp;'til X-mas, and I like your shopping with awareness idea.<br />&nbsp;Flexibility is a good too- I bought a Chanel dress today from a Thrift store. Wasn't going to pass it up just because I am over budget already! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044623 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 07:24:25 +0000 Neel 1044623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Guilty ......... But it does help me feel better. &nbsp;And that's all that matters to me at that point of time. &nbsp;Then I take one day at a time! &nbsp;Hope whoever is feeling low at this time&nbsp;feel better soon. &nbsp;Hugs to you all </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044586 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 05:38:00 +0000 Lantana 1044586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aw, don't be too hard on yourself. Retail therapy's not so bad as compulsions go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044545 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 04:58:29 +0000 celia 1044545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are preaching to the choir as far as I am concerned.<br />Retail therapy leads me to a dream life where I am a well dressed successful person who goes out for dinner in fancy restaurants after a night at the theater or does an impromptu trip to NY just because she feels like &nbsp;it.</p> <p>The most stressful , unhappy times of my life were the ones with several closets full and nothing to wear.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044521 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 03:55:58 +0000 Elly 1044521@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm lucky that I am on a tight budget and am far from retail (even through the mail) which means there is no instant gratification and because I don't use credit to shop there isn't the temptation to spend money I don't have. I actually do not enjoy shopping. </p> <p>However, I will catch myself occasionally going overboard when shopping at the drug store for beauty products when I am feeling like I have no time and money to treat myself. When I go run errands I will spring for a new lotion or nail polish. I just HATE looking at the receipts--- drug store products should not cost that much! There are definitely times when I would kill for $50 or $100 for a couple new clothing items, so it is kinda sickening to spend that much at the druggist, even if I only usually replenish products 1-2 times a year and then occasionally pick up deodorant or shampoo. </p> <p>I also occasionally spend money on something silly like e-books, greeting cards, or magazines that I shouldn't. I love having something fun and trashy to read when I am feeling stressed, and I will occasionally binge on 2.99 e-books, a couple mags, etc. Usually right at the time when I don't have time or money, ha ha! Greeting cards have greatly increased in price, and I have a hard time not purchasing them since they were a tradition in my family for so long. </p> <p>My problem is that I feel the compulsion to occasionally buy myself something nice because of mood, "because I deserve it" or because I am avoiding other things, but I never truly feel like I deserve what I really want. I shop very little, but even a bit makes me feel like I am nickel-ing and dime-ing money away. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044477 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 02:43:14 +0000 Jaime 1044477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so widespread.&nbsp;I tend to reward myself with shopping after I do something I find stressful. (I almost always go shopping after hosting lots of people in my house - which happens regularly.) The thing is, it does sort of make me feel better and help me get through the stress. Fortunately for my budget I usually shop second hand. So maybe it is not completely wrong? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044476 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 02:41:45 +0000 Peri 1044476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess I'm in the minority, mostly because I don't really like shopping. I find it stressful and tiring and sort of consider it one of life's problems! I can only shop when I'm relaxed and happy and feeling good.</p> <p>I'm this way about food too...I lose a lot of weight when I'm depressed and gain it back when I'm happy.</p> <p>Takes all kinds! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044458 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 02:26:35 +0000 TraceyLiz65 1044458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do this as well and my husband is no help as he encourages me to do so. I do it online but still frugally and never use credit. This is a new thing these past 4 years since my mother passed on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044455 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 02:20:48 +0000 Anonymous 1044455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This times 10. I actually inventoried my winter clothes, added the cost and am going to track the wear of each item. </p> <p>I was SICK when I totaled my closet in dollars. With one kid about to go to university, a potential move to a more expensive city and a plan to ramp up our retirement savings, it was a wake up call. ..and I am still not what I would consider well dressed...sigh </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044377 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 00:39:48 +0000 Anonymous 1044377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh man, you mean it won't ever work? I was hoping by the title that you would be giving hints on how shopping DOES solve problems.&nbsp; I thought maybe if I just shopped more often or maybe at better stores. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044363 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 00:18:19 +0000 annagybe 1044363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I picked this habit when I was living in The Bronx for my externship. I was very lonely in a very stressful situation. So I shopped because the sales people were nice to me. NYC is a very hard city to be lonely in.<br /> Now I'm in Seattle, I have friends. I still shop too much but much less. I'm not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.<br /> I'm good at my job, I'm a decent friend, I help my father. I dress well &amp; it's my outlet, my vice. It's hard for me to think of the future because I suck so entirely bad at dating. The only future I really should plan for is mine, but it looks lonely &amp; I don't like it. So pretty things placate that feeling a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044352 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 23:57:57 +0000 Deborah 1044352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been very guilty of this too. But like Rae, I have been a very avid shopper no matter the mood:). Thankfully, particularly for my budget, i have this much more under control now than I used to. Dana, I am on a job also that does not thrill me. And this is after 10 years in a job that I LOVED and could have done 24/7 with no complaints. The contrast between my current job and my last role just makes it more difficult:(. I miss my old job still, nearly 3 years on, so I hear how you feel. I have had to really work on shifting my attitude and focussing on the fact that this is my job right now and I have the ability to make it a positive experience (not always easy). Thankfully I have other community involvements that provide me with meaningful and valuable experiences so that has helped me to maintain a balance too:). Hang I there, I have no doubt you are an asset to Big Tech:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044340 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 23:48:29 +0000 deb 1044340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, this is where Pinterest helps. I just pin things I like onto a special want board. The I am able to reevaluate at a later time. If an item is sold out I figure it was not meant to be. I can do this all evening and be happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044324 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 23:26:18 +0000 Suz 1044324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you can fix your life problems with shopping, can you please come over and help me fix mine? Maybe I'm not ordering from the right online emporia.&nbsp;</p> <p>Seriously, though -- I think retail therapy is a huge temptation to all of us and online shopping has only made it worse. At least with free returns it's possible to re-evaluate in the cold light of day.&nbsp;</p> <p>I agree that too much stuff does not a happy wardrobe make. There is a sweet spot between too little and too much (which probably varies, person to person) and anything over one's sweet spot only breeds guilt and dismay.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think the right retail therapy addresses genuine wardrobe holes so you can make fantastic outfits with the stuff you do have . &nbsp;Feeling great is the best revenge. &nbsp;;-)&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044218 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 20:22:52 +0000 Amy 1044218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unfortunately, I do this too. I have been feeling really depressed lately, mostly because (a) my father died recently; (b) I can't seem to maintain my weight; and (c) I was stuck on the couch for a week with a fever and bronchitis and an ipad in my lap...it was just to easy to click on "buy now." I now have tons of packages winging my way, an already over-full closet and a husband who's going to be making sarcastic comments when all this shows up. Even with a bunch of new things, I never am as happy as I imagined I'd be, because I just can't pull off the looks so many waif-like 20 yo bloggers with unlimited budgets and lifestyles unconstrained by dress codes without children and hairy cats spreading their grunge over everything...</p> <p>No, it doesn't fix things. It can make things worse, especially if money is tight and a spouse might not understand. Perhaps watching bad tv instead would be a good distraction. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044186 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:37:47 +0000 Mo 1044186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep, I browse when bored. &nbsp;But I try really hard to only buy what I've thought out and need or could use. &nbsp;Maintaining a list has been the best thing for me, after setting aside a clothing budget, that is.<br />Seeing what you've accumulated for the year, vs what you planned to buy can be a very educational thing and I think it helps me not go&nbsp;<i>too</i> crazy. &nbsp;<br />We're all works in progress, though. &nbsp;Recognizing your triggers is a good start. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044178 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:33:26 +0000 rachylou 1044178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ya, far too familiar. I need to stop too. I get compulsive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044174 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:31:25 +0000 biscuitsmom 1044174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That sounds far too familiar :(&nbsp; Especially since losing B </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044105 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 18:22:12 +0000 rae 1044105@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have it easy... I shop when sad, happy, hungry, bored, lonely, with company, on vacation... Lol. Not that I buy all the time, but it does not turn off. At least at work I now have to shop for others for 8 hours. At The Bank I could potentially browse ebay all day long. Shopping problem solved with more shopping! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044094 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 18:07:42 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 1044094@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This really resonates with me, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044093 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 18:07:12 +0000 lyn* 1044093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome to my life.&nbsp;</p> <p>Whenever I feel crummy, I feel I need something nice and shiny to make my life better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044091 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 18:05:09 +0000 Classically Casual 1044091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Me too :). In my most famous episode my hubby was just as complicit. Our beloved kitty had died in the afternoon after a couple of years of treating her for diabetes. We were already committed to going to the Thurs might art walk with friends. Once we got there, we fell in love with an artist's paintings, and before long, we'd bought one. It took us 9 months to pay it off, but we still love it.</p> <p>In my defense, I'd say that I've acquired much nicer things during emotional shopping bouts, then when I'm in my normal frugal, practical mode. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/solving-life-problems-with-shopping#post-1044088 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 18:00:29 +0000 Echo 1044088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely indulge in retail therapy. And, of course, a week later the purchases I made look really, REALLY questionable. I am generally good about returning, but I really need to STOP. Clearly it doesn't solve much, because I haven't stopped doing it! Fortunately, this time of year, I start to purchase things other than wardrobe, and I somehow feel less guilty about that (home decor, seasonal items, gifts for the kids, Haloween costumes, etc.). </p>