Many can’t go through a single day without buying something

Sep 24, 2009 18:51 GMT  ·  By
Most women must buy something new every day, no matter what it is, survey shows
   Most women must buy something new every day, no matter what it is, survey shows

There still are many who believe that women’s compulsive need to buy something new is the stuff that myths are made of and that all so-called shopaholics wouldn’t have a problem to speak of if they only kept themselves in check. Still, the problem is widespread, even if it doesn’t manifest in all women in the same manner: a recent survey shows that half of the women in the UK can’t go through a single day without buying something new, the Daily Mail informs.

The reason why so many women want to spend money on a daily basis, researchers say, is that it gives them a “high,” an “adrenaline rush” that is so strong that not even rationalizations such as the lack of money, the need to be on a budget or the very uselessness of the object purchased seem to function. Thus, women learn they “have” to buy something new, even if it’s something as insignificant as bread, milk, shampoo or something with a little more value like a new pair of shoes or a fancy dress.

“The poll of 5,347 women revealed every week the average shopaholic will spend money they don’t actually have on a fast food lunch, chocolate, beauty products, nice shampoo, make up and accessories. More than half of those polled (53 per cent) admitted it didn’t matter what they bought, as long as they purchased something. A further 28 per cent forbid themselves from leaving the house when they wake up feeling particularly frivolous. And 15 per cent often confined themselves to the office on weekdays, refusing to take a lunch break so they weren’t tempted by shops or restaurants.” the Daily Mail says of the findings of the recent survey.

It’s not worrying that women can’t control the urge to spend money, researchers say for the same publication. What it is indeed worrying is the fact that so many of them openly admit they don’t keep a budget and often end up in situations where they spend money they don’t have. Equally worrying is the large number of women who do so, as well as their candor in admitting it, as if not even fully realizing that their actions could have consequences that affect others around them in a negative way.

“I suspect many women reading about this will be able to relate to the findings. For many women, spending money is a bit of an adrenaline rush – it makes them feel good in the short term. It is alarming that in a recession when generally spending is down and the job market isn’t good, that some women still feel the urge to shop beyond their means.” Joanna Leah, general manager at the Ipswich Building Society, which conducted the study, says for the Mail.