To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop

Author/Contributor(s):	Rattle, Carrie; Benson, April Lane
Publisher:	Shambhala
Date:	12/29/2026
Binding:	Paperback
Condition:	NEW

Break the cycles of compulsive shopping, one-click purchasing, and endless scrolling for the best deal. To Buy or Not to Buy gives you proven tools to understand your triggers and build healthier habits so you can finally take control of your spending and your life

Are you a compulsive shopper?

• Do you make impulse purchases online or on your phone?
• Does social media trigger your shopping?
• Do you shop to feel better, even if you can’t afford it?
• Do your binges leave you feeling anxious or guilty?
• Are your habits affecting your relationships or family?

If you’ve tried to stop shopping but can’t seem to break the cycle, you are not alone. Millions struggle with buying habits that lead to debt, damaged relationships, and shame. If this sounds like you—or someone you care about—the help you need is here. In this newly revised edition of To Buy or Not to Buy, psychologist April Lane Benson and financial expert Carrie Rattle offer a practical, evidence-based program to help you break free from compulsive and impulsive shopping, updated for the digital age.

Using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, the latest research on addiction and habit change, mindfulness practices, and money psychology, this guide helps you uncover how childhood experiences shape your habits, identify your unique shopping patterns, and build resilience against the constant pressure of consumer culture and social media.

With strategies for building healthier habits and guidance for getting back on track if you slip, this book is your companion for lasting change. Follow the program, and you’ll spend less, feel more in control, and experience greater satisfaction, stability, and alignment with what truly matters to you.