With a behavioral addiction, you are craving the stimulation of enjoyable chemical reactions in the pleasure or reward centers of your brain. Obviously, there’s nothing physically addictive about an American Express Platinum Card, a shopping cart, or a pair of Louboutins (although some women might argue with that last statement). At the same time, quitting an ingrained behavior that’s linked to pleasure can be extremely difficult and cause significant emotional and psychological distress for sufferers. Some experts argue that behaviors like excessive shopping (along with gambling and binge eating) are actually impulse control disorders rather than addictions.

One thing that’s not in dispute is that shopaholics do exist. Of course, you have to go pretty far with a shopping “addiction” to raise any eyebrows in our consumerist society where having lots of credit card debt is viewed as normal. Here are a few of the warning signs that things are really getting out of control:

• Buying much more than intended almost every time you shop
• Paying no attention to your budget, even though you know what you can and can’t reasonably afford
• Avoiding looking at spending statements
• Hiding your purchases from friends and spouses
• Setting up secret credit card accounts to avoid judgment over your spending habits

Of course, it’s a lot easier to identify and criticize excessive shopping in someone else rather than in yourself. That’s one good reason for everyone to have friend or partner they can talk to about their personal finances on a regular basis. It’s easier to get a grip when you know there’s no hiding from the truth about your spending habits.

Before you head to the freezer aisle to start a buying frenzy, visit the USDA website. It provides you with valuable information on freezing foods the right way. You may want to check the temperature on your freezer and make sure it really is cold enough to preserve your food. If it is, you can store food pretty much indefinitely. However, food does start to deteriorate in quality the longer it is kept at Arctic temps. See the chart at the end of this web page to find out the recommended storage times for best flavor and texture. Then, only buy and store what you plan to eat in a reasonable time frame.

1. Understand the rules. Reading the fine print is always the best way to avoid wasted time (since time is money). Nothing is more frustrating than making a special trip to buy an item only to find out that you misread the expiration date or other restrictions on the coupon. For example, you may not be able to “stack” a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon if one or the other specifies that it can’t be used with any other offer.
2. Start with using coupons for stores where you already shop and by searching manufacturer’s websites for coupons on items you buy regularly. This way, you can find coupons you are most likely to actually use (without buying products you don’t need).
3. Match up coupons with items that are already advertised as on sale via the store’s circular or weekly emails. Becoming familiar with deals at your local store is the best way to take advantage of doubling events where you can get twice the face value of a store’s coupons in savings.
4. Sign up for whatever “frequent shopper” savings program your local grocery store offers. This allows the store to track your purchases and offer you coupons for items you buy frequently.
5. Know who takes what. A manufacturer’s coupon issued through a specific grocery store may not be good at another store. For example, a Kroger’s coupon printed along with your grocery receipt may say it is a manufacturer’s coupon. But Wal-Mart won’t accept it. Sam’s Club won’t accept any coupons at all.
6. Sort coupons by expiration date and by store. This ensures that you use coupons before they expire without having to purchase everything at once. This is especially helpful for items like produce and meats that won’t store well for long periods.
7. Always list your coupon items on your grocery list so you don’t forget to pick them up while you’re at the store. Specify the size, quantity, or other details on your list so you pick the right item. For example, if a coupon is only for a large bottle of juice or box of cereal, write down the minimum number of oz you must buy to qualify.
8. Remember coupons don’t have to be clipped from paper. Look for more convenient savings. Some stores let you load coupons directly onto your member’s card. Others let you use your smartphone to download coupons for redemption at the register.
9. Avoid paying for coupons until you have more experience with couponing. Rookie mistakes mean wasted money.
10. If you’re not really into the scavenger hunt aspect of couponing but still like teaching your children thrifty habits, put your kids in charge of locating useful coupons. Give them a finder’s fee equal to 50% of the money you save.

Cover the Ankle

A boot style that covers your ankle while still accentuating the muscle of your calf is ideal. Some gals swear by cowboy boots. Others like a low, slouched ankle boot paired with colorful tights and a short skirt to create vibrant distraction. Stay away from straps around your ankles (say “no” to gladiator sandals).

Add a Little Height

You don’t have to wear stiletto heels to add a little more shape to your lower legs. Just a 2 inch heel can still make your calf muscle pop out enough to make your ankle look slimmer by comparison. Kitten heels look dainty and are great for spring and summer. Sling back pumps are also a good choice. Avoid super-spindly heels since they won’t look well-proportioned for your legs. A wedge pump could look great.

Show More Foot

This trick works with either a flat or a pump. The upper part of the shoe that covers your toes and goes up the front of your foot is called the vamp. It should be low cut to show as much of your foot as possible (without showing toe cleavage). This makes your leg look longer by creating an unbroken, tapered line down your shin and along the top of your foot. Stay away from Mary Jane styles since the horizontal line across your foot can make it appear wider.

Note: Thanks to Flickr user Ursonate for the CC licensed image. She doesn’t actually have cankles, but this photo is a great example of style choices that can make you LOOK LIKE YOU DO!

1. They find they buy items they would otherwise skip just because they have a coupon
2. They have to buy in bulk in order to use the coupon
3. They forget to use the coupons before they expire
4. The coupons are for locations too far away for convenience
5. They get tired of having to argue with checkers over whether a coupon is valid or stackable (even manufacturer’s coupons can’t necessarily be used at any store and many prohibit doubling and stacking)
6. They have a hard time finding coupons for stuff they would actually use
7. Most coupons are for name brand items that are still more expensive than store brand products
8. The good coupons always seem to come along when their printer is out of ink or they’ve misplaced the scissors
9. The time it takes to find coupons, clip them (or download them), organize them, and figure out if they are really worth using isn’t worth the effort

So, that’s 9 reasons not to use coupons regularly. Next week, we’ll look at ways to make the most out of couponing.

The Swap-O-Matic concept is easy to grasp. You get 3 credits for signing up (which is free – all you need is a valid email address). Then, you can earn more credits by donating items into the machine. You can swap the item you are putting in for something that’s already in the machine. Or, you can use your credit balance to get what you want. Some days, you might find just what you are looking for. Other days, you will probably take a pass. You can check online to see what’s on offer on any given day. The items in the machine aren’t high value – but they can be useful for the right swapper. Here’s a snapshot of what’s in there right now:

• Candy Cane (new)
• Mittens and a Top
• 3 Month Onesie
• Yarn for Friendship Bracelet
• Condoms (presumably also new)

There’s no face to face negotiating or bartering – which makes it perfect for people who like a good trade but who aren’t skilled at haggling. Either you think what you have is worth trading for what’s in the machine or you don’t. So far, there is only one Swap-O-Matic machine. It’s in Brooklyn at an ice cream parlor. The machine is regularly moved to new locations to reach a wider audience.

While you are waiting for a Swap-O-Matic to travel to your neighborhood, you can still take advantage of the trading/recycling phenomenon through sites like Freecycle. Surely, there’s someone out there who wants whatever knick-knack you don’t.

Bait and Switch

Old Navy ticked off a massive number of customers in 2010 by running their Groupon just before “Tax Free Weekend”. Then, the actual delivery of the Groupons was delayed a full two days until after the weekend passed. Technically, Groupon’s fine print does state that deals may take up to 48 hours to process. It’s just that customers didn’t expect this would actually happen since most coupons can be printed off within a couple of hours of purchase. The message board was swamped with angry customers asking when they would get their Groupon. They really needed to know since the only reason they bought it was to get their kids some much-needed school clothing.

The suspicious timing of the delay made people assume the worst – that Old Navy was deliberately dragging its heels to ensure customers couldn’t take maximize their savings. As so often happens, a deal offered by a big company with little sense of accountability to individual consumers went sour. I probably won’t be participating in a Groupon deal for a non-local business again.

Too Many Customers, Too Little Time

Large corporations aren’t the only ones who can run into trouble using Groupon. One issue with smaller businesses is that they may be unprepared to handle the volume of customers they attract with a great deal. I’ve seen this happen with local spas offering cosmetic services. Customers get put on a 3 month waiting list before they can even get an appointment. That’s not popular with the instant gratification crowd.

You’re more likely to get immediate satisfaction with a business that’s set up to serve many people at once. For example, the Fort Worth Botanical Garden ran a Groupon deal in 2011 with huge success. As a local non-profit with the ability to host thousands of visitors per day, they were the ideal Groupon user. I’ve enjoyed my membership immensely – especially since it’s valid for entry to the Dallas Arboretum as well.

Not So Special Anymore

The #1 thing I used to enjoy about Groupon was the fact that they delivered just ONE highly targeted deal to my inbox per day. Now, every deal has half a dozen side deals. Then, there are the Groupon GetAway deals and a whole website full of additional Groupon “Deals on Demand”. I’m not saying these aren’t good offers. I’m just saying that the experience has now changed. I feel overwhelmed with options (a common problem with being plugged in to our information-saturated culture). When I get overloaded, I’m much less likely to see a deal as special enough to purchase.

Let’s say you adore fashion and you enjoy shopping for clothes immensely. But maybe it’s not always possible to make time in your day to get it done. Think back to the last time you got an invitation to an event and realized you had nothing in your closet that’s suitable. If you are pressed for time, you may not be able to make the rounds of local boutiques to pick the right outfit. That’s when you can call on a trusted personal shopper who’s shown that she understands your tastes and sense of style. She can do the legwork and bring you only the choicest apparel items to try on.

What if you really don’t care for fashion and abhor shopping – but know you need to make a good impression anyway. There are personal stylists for both men and women who can take the stress of choosing your wardrobe off your hands completely. They can do more than just pick out clothes. They can put together entire outfits including accessories so you never have to wonder what to wear. With a little practice, you’ll look stylish all the time without hardly trying.

Are you too busy to revamp your wardrobe? Would you use a personal shopper to help you dress your best? Would you do it just for special events or for everyday business and casual wear also?

Double Cloth Metro

This J. Crew piece is Italian wool – and it’s eggplant hued. It’s like someone dipped a sheep in purple dye! The cut is slimming even though the coat is fully lined. Even better, the knee length cut lets you show off your winter boots.

Pink Trench

Inspector Clouseau wore a pale khaki trench coat. But this revamped version from Banana Republic is the color of the Pink Panther. With a mid-thigh length it won’t overpower a petite figure, while the belted waist cinches any woman into an instant hourglass shape.

Cord Sherpa Trucker Jacket

This Levi jacket will still be comfy to wear in March. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but the color isn’t actually light fawn. It’s blush…the very palest pink that belies the boyish cut and corduroy fabric. The fleecy lining at the color frames your face while the waist length cut lets you make a fashion statement with layered shirt tails underneath.

When it comes to shopping for car insurance in Los Angeles, there are a lot of things to consider. A person must think about the type of protection that they want to have on their policies. They also must think about how to get the most amount of coverage for an amount of money that won’t leave them penniless when it’s all said and done. Luckily, there are a few buzz phrases that people in the L.A area can say to any potential insurer that will get them discounts on coverage.

“I have modern safety features on my vehicle”
If you have modern safety features on your vehicles such as automatic seatbelts, daytime running lights, and anti-lock brakes, you are eligible to receive savings on your Los Angeles car insurance bill. All you have to do is notify your provider about these features and they will offer to help you keep more of your cash in your pockets. Insurers love it when their clients take an active role in being safe while driving.

“I drive a low amount of miles in my car”
The second buzz phrase you can use to save money on your next Los Angeles car insurance policy is to tell any potential insurers that you drive a low amount of miles in your car each day. Saying this could qualify you for even more savings on your bill. This would be a great way to save if you work from home, carpool using other people’s vehicles, or if you use public transportation to get to work. It is best to check to see the mileage parameters with each major insurance company to see if your daily mileage fits what they are looking for.

“I’d like to protect other valuable things under a policy as well”
If you own anything else of value that you’d like to protect under an insurance policy, you would be eligible to receive discounts for bundling several policies together. All you have to do is combine your Los Angeles car insurance policy with policies that protect things like your home, life, boat, and even electronics if you are a renter. This is an excellent way to save and it will give you the peace of mind to know that all the things that you really care about are protected.

“I’ve taken a defensive driving course”
Another great way to save some money on your Los Angeles car insurance is to complete a driving training course. All you have to do is contact your insurer to ask them which courses they recommend, take that course, and then provide proof to them that you took it. One catch to this is that you won’t get the discount if taking the course was mandated by a court of law.

“I have a low-risk job”
If you have a low-risk job then you may be eligible to receive a discount on your Los Angeles car insurance policy as well. Occupations like teaching, accounting, and engineering have been proven to have people working in them that have lower vehicle accident rates. Be sure to check with insurers to see if your job qualifies as low risk.

These buzz phrases and others like them are sure to get you the savings on Los Angeles car insurance that you deserve.