How to Realize You Have a Money Addiction and Get Rid of It

Financial behaviors that make life worse can be called money disorders. Here are five signs that your relationship with money isn't working out. And tips on how to change it.

Panicking if You Run Out of Money

"Symptoms":

• Thinking it's all gone when the numbers in your account get smaller than usual.
• Turning into a workaholic to make more money.
• Not being able to relax and unwind, feeling stressed about finances and constantly needing to find more money.

What's wrong with that? You can get overwhelmed, get an anxiety disorder, and even lose your health, which will only hinder your earning power.

Saving up for Nothing

"Symptoms":

• There is no financial goal.
• Money doesn't work, just lying at home.

Why is it bad? Money depreciates — they are "eaten" by inflation, even the greatest wins at Wolf Treasure will get smaller one day. And its owner doesn't learn financial literacy, doesn't move forward, and doesn't learn to manage his assets.

In itself, it's rather "independence" from money than dependence, but this approach inevitably leads to financial problems that poison life.

Scrimping on Everything

"Symptoms":

• Having a hard time forcing yourself to splurge even on really necessary things.
• Getting frustrated and worried for a long time after every trip to the store.
• Thinking you have to return even necessary purchases.

Why is it bad? Saving money wisely is a good thing. But total stinginess is unwise. In extreme cases, a person is so afraid to spend money that even with a good income, he eats scraps and walks around in rags. This is destructive behavior. It's necessary to cover at least your basic needs without shame and guilt.

See Thinking and Talking About Money as a Bad Thing

"Symptoms":

• Getting irritated or feeling anxious at the mention of money.
• Not admitting to anyone about their money problems or, conversely, their achievements, lying to others about their finances.
• Fear of being judged for talking about money.

Why is it bad? It "demonizes" money, gives it some negative meaning, which is not really there. But it's impossible to competently manage what you're afraid of. And you can't save what you are disgusted with.

How to Deal With Problems

Recognizing It

Explain to yourself that spending, debt or, on the contrary, extreme saving can ruin your career, relationships and in general your whole life. And that they cause constant stress: you have to worry, lie, and twist.

To do this, sit down and write out all your attitudes about money. And then see which of the above items they most relate to.

For example, you've written: 

• "If you haven't lived richly, there's no reason to start."
• "We live once!"
• And so on.

Most likely, there is a tendency to spend. Next, it is worth writing out point by point how it can spoil your life.

Taking Responsibility

No one else is going to fix the situation. You need to realize this and stop falling into the position of "What's in it for me?" Instead, you need to ask yourself, "How exactly can I change this?"

Then sit down and write out 10 solutions to improve your money situation: for example, cut back on buying sweets, work as a tutor, take up dog walking, and so on.

Not Being Shy About Asking Your Loved Ones for Help

Findsomeone to whom you can be honest about your financial situation and ask for support. This could be a relative or a trusted friend. If possible, take lessons from a financial counselor; you can also tell them honestly about the problem. The main thing is not to hide anything.