Excessive online shopping causes conflicts for many families
Continuous discount programs and a series of incentives on e-commerce platforms make many people form the habit of shopping based on emotions. For some families, online orders not only unintentionally become a cost burden but also become a cause of frequent marital conflicts.
Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha (31 years old, Hanoi) admitted that she herself once fell into the uncontrolled "sale hunting" vortex. Initially, it was just a few household items or clothes, but later on, she started using credit cards to buy goods because she thought she could pay back gradually.
As soon as I saw a discount, I ordered continuously. There were times when I didn't have much money left in my account, but I still used a credit card because I thought I could pay next month. When the statement was sent back, I was startled because the amount was much larger than I thought," Ms. Thu Ha recounted.
According to Ms. Ha, many items bought are almost unused, but every month the family still has to deduct an amount to pay the outstanding card debt.
There was a month when the card payment amounted to more than 20 million VND. My husband was very upset because I didn't exchange it in advance but secretly bought it. The couple argued constantly because of that, even during times when there was almost no cold war," Ms. Thu Ha shared.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tran Minh Quan (35 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) said that his family has also fallen into tension many times because his wife is too obsessed with online shopping.
Shippers deliver goods almost every day in front of my house. What I am most worried about is that my family's savings are getting less and less while expenses are increasing," Mr. Minh Quan said.
Mr. Minh Quan said that what puts pressure on him is not his wife's shopping, but the spending exceeding the plan and the lack of exchange between husband and wife.
I don't forbid my wife from buying things, but if she keeps buying according to inspiration and is not controlled, it can easily affect the family's finances. When money becomes pressure, small things can easily turn into conflicts," Mr. Quan shared.
Consequences of shopping addiction for the spirit and family
According to psychologist Mai Viet Duc (Nhan Hoa Viet Counseling and Psychological Therapy Center), shopping addiction not only creates financial pressure but also directly affects mental health and family relationships.
If prolonged, buyers may be affected in sleep, concentration as well as academic and working performance. When shopping becomes the only way to relieve emotions, the person is very likely to be dependent on this behavior," psychologist Mai Viet Duc said.
From a family perspective, experts believe that conflicts often start from buyers hiding the number of orders or expenses, causing relatives to lose faith.
Money is one of the common causes in many families leading to stress in marriage. When shopping exceeds financial capacity, common plans such as savings, living expenses or children's education can be affected, thereby increasing conflicts between family members," the expert analyzed.
According to expert Mai Viet Duc, the important thing is not to ban or completely stop online shopping, but to build a habit of planned spending, clearly define needs before ordering and frankly and openly discuss large expenses with relatives.
Shopping should only be an activity serving life, and should not become a way to fill emotions or resolve stress. When shopping behavior has affected finances, spirit and relationships, each person needs to recognize the problem early to adjust or seek support from experts when necessary," expert Mai Viet Duc emphasized.
