Money Addictions
Are You a Compulsive Shopper?
-
Do
you “take off for the stores” when you’ve experienced a setback or
a disappointment, or when you feel angry or scared?
-
Are your spending habits emotionally disturbing to you and have
they created chaos in your life?
-
Do
your shopping habits create conflicts between you and someone
close to you (spouse, lover, parents, children)?
-
Do
you buy items with your credit cards that you wouldn’t buy if you
had to pay cash?
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When you shop, do you feel a rush of euphoria mixed with feelings
of anxiety?
-
Do
you feel you’re performing a dangerous, reckless or forbidden act
when you shop?
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When you return home after shopping, do you feel guilty, ashamed,
embarrassed or confused?
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Are many of your purchases seldom or never worn or used?
-
Do
you lie to your family or friends about what you buy and how much
you spend?
-
Would you feel “lost” without your credit cards?
-
Do
you think about money excessively – how much you have, how much
you owe, how much you wish you had – and then go out and shop
again?
-
Do
you spend a lot of time juggling accounts and bills to accommodate
your shopping debts?
If
an alarm went off and you answered
yes
to more than four
of these questions, you may be an out-of-control compulsive shopper.
For active problem solving and
practical solutions call 581-4014 or toll-free 1-877-EAP-3315 to
schedule an appointment with the Employee Assistance Program.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 and
5:00 p.m., including lunchtime appointments. Telephone appointments
are also available.
- from
“Shopaholics”, by Janet Damon, 1988. Price Stern Sloan, Los Angeles,
CA.
Worried About Debt?
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Are your debts making your home life unhappy?
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Does the pressure of your debts distract you from your daily work?
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Are your debts affecting your reputation?
-
Do
your debts cause you to think less of yourself?
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Have you ever given false information in order to obtain credit?
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Have you ever made unrealistic promises to your creditors?
-
Does the pressure of your debts make you careless of the welfare
of your family?
-
Do
you ever fear that your employer, family or friends will learn the
extent of your total indebtedness?
-
When faced with a difficult financial situation, does the prospect
of borrowing give you an inordinate feeling of relief?
-
Does the pressure of your debts cause you to have difficulty I
sleeping?
-
Has the pressure of your debts ever caused you to consider getting
drunk?
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Have you ever borrowed money without giving adequate consideration
to the rate of interest you are required to pay?
-
Do
you usually expect a negative response when you are subject to a
credit investigation?
-
Have you ever developed a strict regimen for paying off your
debts, only to break it under pressure?
-
Do
you justify your debts by telling yourself that you are superior
to the “other” people, and when you get your “break” you’ll be out
of debt overnight?
How
did you score? If you answered
yes
to eight
or more of these questions, the chances are that you may have a
problem with compulsive debt, or *be on your way to having one.
For active problem-solving and
practical solutions call 581-4014 or toll-free 1-877-EAP-3315 to
schedule an appointment with the Employee Assistance Program.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m.
and 4:00 p.m., including lunchtime appointments. Telephone
appointments are also available.
-
from Debtors Anonymous General Service Board
Do You Think You Might Have A Gambling
Problem?
Gamblers Anonymous uses twenty questions to find out if its new
members are compulsive gamblers:
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Did you ever lose time from work due to gambling?
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Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
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Did gambling affect your reputation?
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Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
-
Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or
otherwise solve financial difficulties?
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Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
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After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and
win back your losses?
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After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
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Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
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Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
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Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
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Were you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal
expenditures?
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Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself and your
family?
-
Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
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Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
-
Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act
to finance gambling?
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Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
-
Do
arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an
urge to gamble?
-
Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few
hours of gambling?
-
Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your
gambling?
If
you have answered yes
to at least
seven
of these questions you may be a compulsive gambler.
For active problem-solving and
practical solutions call 581-4014 or toll-free 1-877-EAP-3315 to
schedule an appointment with the Employee Assistance Program.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m.
and 4:00 p.m., including lunchtime appointments. Telephone
appointments are also available.
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