...my overspending. It's really strange. It's not like me. I'm in my fifties, I've been married to the right guy for over thirty years, and I've never liked shoppinig. In fact, I have an aversion to any kind of shopping except for books and music. Yet in the last year, I've gotten really anxious about a number of things, none of them world-shattering, and I've taken up web-shopping as a way to deal with it all. I still don't shop in brick-and-mortar stores, but I've been spending a serious amount of time, and money, on websites that are designed to tempt people like me to buy buy buy. I hate it. Mostly I buy jewelry, clothes, scarves, fountain pens, fancy paper and journals, a few artsy tchotchkes, and even shoes. This is a woman who never used to wear anything but Birks. (As for books and music--so long as I stay away from signed first editions, huge art books, overpriced boxed-set CDs, that sort of thing--books and music don't count: they're in the food category--gotta have 'em to live.)

So my credit card debt is getting scary. But my New Year's resolution is not to just stop overspending--by which I mean, buying extraneous stuff that I don't need. Cold turkey works for me sometimes, but for this one, I need to do a slow-down period, during which I try to learn what all of this crap means. So far, I'm on track. My spending has dropped by about 90%, and I joined the Swap in order to have something else to obsess about. I'm always ready to obsess about books. I take it I've walked into the right party for that: y'all seem like my kinda people! <grin>

Any of y'all ever have trouble with overspending, overshopping, whatever you wanna call it? Was overspending--or just spending more than you thought you should've--on books, part of why you joined the Swap?

                                                                                     --Fiona

I don't have a problem with OVERspending, but rather just having too much stuff. I can see how it is sooo easy to do though. Good luck.

Fiona -- I just looked in 'communities' & answered 2 resolutions & then, lo & behold, there's your name!

Maybe the shopping thing has to do w/being in your 50's? Making up for lost time when you didn't want to shop?  Jewelry does adds a nice sparkle to us women, don't you agree?  Days when I feel or look sort of 'blah', it is time to wear Swarofski earrings or hanging gemstone cuties. A few small(about thumb name size)  push pin crystal covered hearts work out well too; silver, red, & blue ones.  I agree w/you about scarves too--cool accessory. Easy, polished look.

On eBay's left sidebar is a subsidiary, half.com.   Have you tried it for books, cds, & DVDs?  We bought there quite a few times & all were in great condition. Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, Cal Tjader cds for example, at $5+(including shipping) to about $10.

You could be really drastic & 'spam' the sites you use for shopping.  That might lead to chocolate or wine consumption though, haha....

EVERYTHING in moderation is good.....:)    Onward.....

Sure is one of the reasons I joined-I also use a local used bookstore and a half price book facility too!! 

My DH and I both overspend on books-He has an affinity for British Mags that are really pricey and the fire marshall would have an aneurysm with the boxes of magazines we have in our basement-every back issue of 5 different motorcycle magazines for the last 20 years! 

Right now on my TBR list I have 30 plus books and I just received 2 new books in the mail today I ordered off Amazon.  Last weekend, I went to the Used Bookstore and bought 4 new books and am an avid consumer of magazines-which are just wasted trees!  Right now I'm trying to limit my paper trail by devoting one closet for the TBR books but I have 3 sets of bookshelves that are for my keepers and I'm shopping for a new set right now.  LOL! :)

I  have been an Usborne dealer in the past to support my habit for my kids while during my at home mom career. I look at it this way-it's my only vice beside chocolate so it's all good! I agree with the lady above moderation or balance-that is my new year's resolution-to acheive balance in all areas of my life.  Good luck with yours!  You're in good company here!

first is to loose those extra lbs and the second is to read all of the longest and hardest novels written...north and south, war and peace, clarissa,  to name a few also there are some i cant find in print now anyone have an suggestions???? i am told the stephan king dark tower series should be on my list what do you all think ... some think i just may have to much time on my hands but like you all i have always enjoyed reading andi do write some just nothing i have showed anyone so i guess my 3rd resolution would be to finish my own book