24 signs that you're a mega-consumer

Do you automatically think that "budget" is the name of a rental-car company? Chances are you have a problem with spending.

A post by Ron at The Wisdom Journal identifies 24 signs to look for to determine if you're a mega-consumer. He said he was inspired to write the post after his kids noticed that someone they know has four yard sales a year and asked, "How much stuff do they have?"

Another sign: "You cannot fit anything else in your garage  -- and you don't even have your car in there."

• Bing: Organize your garage
  

Ron isn't writing about people who have so much money that they never have to worry about how much they spend. He's speaking to those who spend and don't know where that money is coming from.

These are folks who "go to those free time-share weekends and fall for the spiel," have tons of clothes but never have anything to wear, and have already spent their tax rebate check even though it hasn't arrived.

Other signs: "You have HSN and QVC on speed-dial." "You evaluate every purchase in light of its monthly payment, or what your limit is on Visa, or which credit card you're not late on." "Your motto is, I came, I saw, I wanted, I bought."

Published April 14, 2008