Are you a shopping addict, an overconfident consumer, a status seeker or a smart spender? Stuart Vyse, in Going Broke: Why Americans Can't Hold On to Their Money, looks at four types of spenders. At Personal Safety Nets we look at Vyse's classifications from a different angle - one that tries to help you understand your habits. Read on to see more.

The Shopping Addict - shops to feel good on a bad day. If this is you, try a PSN fix the next time you're about to spend your hard-earned dollars for no good reason. Invest time into making your life, and those around you better: be a good friend by spending time listening to someone tell their story, read to or play a game with a child, or offer to help someone else with their needs. No matter how dim your day, think of giving gifts of time, experiences and services. On top of this, you'll avoid the cycle of buying, feeling bad about it, and then buying more to feel better.

The Overconfident Consumer - never thinks about where the money will come from but makes large, spontaneous purchases anyway. These are the same people who find that they have stepped into too many projects, neglecting to think about where the time and energy to fulfill promises will come from. If this sounds like you, be prepared for exhaustion, crankiness and a bag full of resentment. Your overconfidence and over-commitment is unlikely to bring forth the spirit you intended. Instead, think about what is needed to keep your own spirits high, and take time for renewal and refreshment. Make thoughtful decisions about what to take on, especially through the holidays. One more "giving tree' or another "secret Santa" project can be one thing too many. Give yourself the gift of time - to fill your own cup, and receive it with gratitude. Then you can pour out as you choose, where you choose, and when.

The Status Seeker - always looks at what others have or others do. If this is you, it's time to define your own values, and find friends and role models who seem to value the same things as you.
This will serve you better than comparing yourself to your own group of "rich and famous." The biggest problem with keeping up with the Jones is that people tend to compare themselves with the wrong Joneses. It's okay to aim high and admire others, but reality says it's time to adopt a lifestyle within your means in terms of dollars, focus and time. When your giving and receiving are balanced, you'll find yourself full of appreciation and with greater self-respect.

The Smart Shopper - easily differentiates between needs and wants, and mostly sticks to buying what is needed. It can be powerful to give, and weak to receive. At Personal Safety Nets, we encourage you to recognize that for one to give, another must receive, and vice versa. If you're a smart shopper you know this. This holiday season, as you focus on relationships more than on things, we encourage you to keep this balance in mind. Congratulate yourself for spending your time and energy, as well as your dollars, wisely. You are the friend you want to have, and appreciate those who enrich and enliven your life. Keep up the good work! And pass along your good habits to your friends!

We've added a test that may help you decide why and how you shop.