Uh no, this is a huge symptom of mania and hypomania. Before I was
  diagnosed I used to be an eBay addict. The thrill of getting into a
  bidding war was a high. However I bought some stuff (even though at a
  bargain) that I later regretted. I mean how many handbags and shoes
  does one really need?This to me is a red flag that I'm starting to
  cycle into that shopping spin.
      What I have done to counteract that is all that stuff I bought I
  relisted along with books (except my references to bipolar disorder)
  that I have read and don't need anymore. Now I'm lovin watching a
  bidding war where I win the cash!!! I've resold many of the items with
  a huge profit for what I originally bought them for. The bonus is I set
  aside 70% to pay down the equity line we took. The other 30%, I either
  spend on art supplies or stash it.
      After a massive spending spree (luckily mine were not horrible
  $100. maybe, but I used to be a huge tight wad so this was remarkably
  different behaviour) I'd feel guilt for not using the money to pay off
  things that I used to or to buy a certificate of deposit or money
  market fund for my sons education.
      It's a daily thing to keep myself from buying stuff that I don't
  need. But it sounds to me that getting a tune up on your car is not out
  of line, unless you don't have it. In other words were not talking that
  you're unemployed and are low on the household account right?   North
  Polar Skip

> Uh no, this is a huge symptom of mania and hypomania. Before I was
> diagnosed I used to be an eBay addict. The thrill of getting into a
> bidding war was a high. However I bought some stuff (even though at a
> bargain) that I later regretted. I mean how many handbags and shoes
> does one really need?This to me is a red flag that I'm starting to
> cycle into that shopping spin.
>    What I have done to counteract that is all that stuff I bought I
> relisted along with books (except my references to bipolar disorder)
> that I have read and don't need anymore. Now I'm lovin watching a
> bidding war where I win the cash!!! I've resold many of the items with
> a huge profit for what I originally bought them for. The bonus is I set
> aside 70% to pay down the equity line we took. The other 30%, I either
> spend on art supplies or stash it.
>    After a massive spending spree (luckily mine were not horrible
> $100. maybe, but I used to be a huge tight wad so this was remarkably
> different behaviour) I'd feel guilt for not using the money to pay off
> things that I used to or to buy a certificate of deposit or money
> market fund for my sons education.
>    It's a daily thing to keep myself from buying stuff that I don't
> need. But it sounds to me that getting a tune up on your car is not out
> of line, unless you don't have it. In other words were not talking that
> you're unemployed and are low on the household account right?   North
> Polar Skip

Home from work for the third day in a row. . . . Last time, it cost me about $120.00 in INTERNET shopping.  Today it's $100.00 in an almost opened investment account, $117.00 for window tinting.  Just finished looking at one of those online catalogs just full of stuff I'd love to have - not that I need any of it.  Wife picked me up from window tinting place and growled when I asked her what was (obviously) wrong.
I spent the money on the car "without consulting her," and, "the truck needs a tune-up."  We are supposed to take a trip to Texas next week for her nephew's marriage - that's gonna cost us $500.00 just to get there, stay, and drive back.  Forget about the $$$$ while there.  But noooo, I can't spend $117.00 on the family car????  So it'll be more comfortable driving in the southern sun???  I know I can spend a little freely when I'm burning a little fast - as I have been for the last two weeks.  But, we let her pay the bills ---  Ha!  just got off the phone with her - she and her boss are going out for steaks tonight..........
Good thing I'm the only one splurging.  (oops, was that sarcasm?)  Am I the only one out there who exhibits this $$$$ fun when a bit manic?  Is this to make me feel better - if so, it's not working - now I'm just worked up.  Worse.  Calvin

Calvin,
     As far as going on a spending spree, I know what that is. My fiancé is
bipolar/alcoholic and this past weekend he wanted to do some spending with
of course not having money. How could he. Well he thought that I would pay
for it and I didn't. I explained to him that at this time I can't afford it.
It's always good that in a relationship, the wife or husband that doesn't
have a mental illness take over the finances. My fiancée has asked me to do
that when we get married and I said that I definitely will. He said that he
can't trust his judgment when he's manic, which he was this past weekend. It
was difficult cause when he is, he self-medicates and ruins our time with
each other. I love him with all my heart but it's hard for me to handle it.
I am doing the best I can. Right now he's trying to recover from the
drinking but unfortunately it's going to take time for him to get out of it
and could possibly through him into depression. That happens almost all of
the time. So anyways, with the spending, sometimes I can see what your wife
has to deal with, because I know. Experiencing that is so tough for us who
are not bipolar but someone has to keep an even keel on the finances. What I
am trying to say is, it would be good to let your wife know what's up and
consult her to the best of your ability because I know that forgetfulness
happens, it happens to my fiancée. Take care and God Bless!

Sandra

-----Original Message-----
From: pattydukeblog@googlegroups.com [mailto:pattydukeblog@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of jpg...@hotmail.com
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 3:33 PM
To: pattydukeblog
Subject: $$$$

Home from work for the third day in a row. . . . Last time, it cost me about
$120.00 in INTERNET shopping.  Today it's $100.00 in an almost opened
investment account, $117.00 for window tinting.  Just finished looking at
one of those online catalogs just full of stuff I'd love to have - not that
I need any of it.  Wife picked me up from window tinting place and growled
when I asked her what was (obviously) wrong.
I spent the money on the car "without consulting her," and, "the truck needs
a tune-up."  We are supposed to take a trip to Texas next week for her
nephew's marriage - that's gonna cost us $500.00 just to get there, stay,
and drive back.  Forget about the $$$$ while there.  But noooo, I can't
spend $117.00 on the family car????  So it'll be more comfortable driving in
the southern sun???  I know I can spend a little freely when I'm burning a
little fast - as I have been for the last two weeks.  But, we let her pay
the bills ---  Ha!  just got off the phone with her - she and her boss are
going out for steaks tonight..........
Good thing I'm the only one splurging.  (oops, was that sarcasm?)  Am I the
only one out there who exhibits this $$$$ fun when a bit manic?  Is this to
make me feel better - if so, it's not working - now I'm just worked up.
Worse.  Calvin