Spent: Break the Buying Obsession and Discover Your True Worth

I really got a lot out of this book. It is well-written and very informative. I'm looking forward to buckling down this weekend with the worksheets and all my financial papers I have gathered during the week and start on the exercises. Truthfully, my only complaint is that the worksheets in the e-book version are terribly blurry. Fortunately, when I printed the PDF available in a link, everything was crystal clear. There are a LOT of books out there on this subject, but this one is well worth your time and attention.

I haven't finished this book yet; but it has already reduced my stress and anxiety about how I look at money and changed my spending habits. This book makes you think about how you and your and your families relationship with money. If you are completely honest with the questions that are asked and really take a hard and fast look at yourself and your life it can really help. For me I found out that since I was small I usually got my sisters clothes and never really had anything new. My older sister and brother received new things and I received what fit me from them. My reaction to that was in giving myself what I wanted as an adult whether I really could afford it or not. Hence the constant paying off and rebuilding debt on credit cards. The hard part for me is the anxiety. I also realized that since I have several people that are constant borrowers of money from me I would try and get rid of my paycheck as fast as possible so they couldn't borrow from me, not realizing that was the reason. Now that I have taken a good look at myself, my anxiety and stress is so much better. I still have to stop myself from emptying my accounts by paying my bills early whether they are due yet or not. That anxiety may take awhile yet to stop completely, but as I just purchased this book less than 2 weeks ago and I am so happy with where I am already in my thinking. When I am done with the book I may still speak to a therapist just to make sure I can stick with the progress I have made so far, but I am so encouraged on the change in my outlook on money and spending and my thoughts on buying unnecessary thing just from this book. I hope it helps you as well!

The author really zeroed in on the particular “sins” people commit with money! She dismantled these gross acts with the way to fix yourself!

Good book which I have not been able to finish because of a serious illness in our family Since spending is what I do when I am stressed It is a great read thus far

I am in Debtors Anonymous (DA) and the program has helped me pay off 35K in mostly unsecured debt over the last year. I still have a long way to go, and this book will help me take my recovery to the next level. The author is a trained psychologist who has worked with people having a variety of money problems, compulsions, and addictions. She clearly makes the case that these money problems qualify as legitimate addictions in severe cases, classifies the unhealthy patterns (as defined by her practice and research, including both indulges and hoarders), reviews underlying causes, and provides guidance and links to resources for recovery. I also love that she clearly describes what a healthy relationship with money looks like. Since I've never seen anyone demonstrate a health relationship with money, it gives me a clearer picture of what to strive for. This has helped me realize that I still have a lot of work to do to be fully healthy with money.Many other "get out of debt" books provide obvious information about why credit cards and overspending are bad. I am already well aware of this reality, and I am pretty good with making financial choices if I'm acting rationally. This author provides a much deeper explanation of the problem and provides tools and resources for recovery, which is what people with addictive/compulsive behavior will benefit from. For anyone in DA, her terminology and approach is consistent with DA principles as well. I highly recommend this book.

I have always been rather smug, almost proud, of my "ability" for "creative bookkeeping", "obsessive generosity" , and other "flattering excuses" for my money situations. I have never defaulted, overdrawn, missed payments, or asked for money from others, however, now that I am retired, I need to appreciate the changing, more expensive world I live in. I need to revise my "sliding, slippery slope" relationship with my money, and learn compliance with the budget I create every month. Compliance is my weakness, as all my "flattering excuses" are still ready to pop-up in every decision I make. Call it the evil twin analogy, and yes, I am a Gemini, another "financial excuse".This book, Spent, was written for me, as I am actually tired of my own money handling methods. (I can't imagine I am saying this).The author is respectful, but frank, open, realistic. She lays out plans that even I think are workable, simple and straightforward, plans-to-goals, not her goals, but goals the reader admits it is time to set for oneself. Please, wish me luck and wisdom. I wish you inspiration. Happy New Year. to goals

an elementary approach to spending, or not, reflects once more the absence of teaching and learning about money responsibilities that should happen in school, and unfortunately does not. a good book for teens...

This book is well written and helps you to understand the reasons behind your shopping addiction.

The book gives strategies to address over spending . For the first time I feel empowered re my finances .

I really loved this book! I was searching for something to do with spending addictions, as I am one who struggles hard with spending habits. The information she talks about in the book is so helpful! I found a lot of clarity and understanding as to why and how this progresses and the signs to be aware of and the effects it has on relationships, etc. Thank you so much for this great tool!!!

One of the best investments I've made to date, an eye opener and a practical guide for those who have problems with financial literacy or spending. Easy to read, and easy to follow worksheets to set you on a path of recovery, with excellent suggestions on where else to seek support for money addiction recovery. Well worth the read for any level of money or spending issues.

Enjoying and finding very useful

I chose this rating because the author has helped me realize how to control my impulse shopping, manage my money and use my money to enrich my life, follow my dreams and not spend money on "stuff" which doesn't even last as long as the debt I incur when buying it on credit.