I'm currently in CC debt of about $5,000. My parents only know of one card which has the lowest balance of $500. Every day it stresses me out knowing I'm keeping this huge secret from them. However, my dad can barely sleep with the way the economy is right now. This is definitely not going to make things any better.
Everyone says that I'm an adult, and my parents don't need to know. My dad is very involved with my finances. I just opened a checking account which is not joined to his account. He does my taxes, and likes to know what is going on. He's always been very good at handling and managing money, but I'm terrible at it.
I really think I'm addicted to shopping. I just can't stop, and it's stupid things. I pick up tons of candy at work which just sits there until it expires, and have so many pieces of clothing I never need to do laundry again. I'd sell a lot of things, but obviously people aren't buying so what's the use? If I was addicted to drugs or alcohol, I almost think this would be easier. People understand getting hooked on those things, but not shopping. It's just like "Well why don't you stop spending?".
Today, they bought me a new bedspread at IKEA and asked me in the middle of the store if there were any purchases they did not know about that I had made. We're in the middle of a huge store, I'm not going to share "oh, btw I have $4500 more in CC debt than you thought".
I'm stressed to the max. I can't stop thinking about it. I wish I had never gotten into this mess, and I feel like such a disappointment and a failure.
I know this sounds immature, but I like to keep some semblance of a life. I give myself a small amount, less than 15% of my paycheck for dinner with friends or catching a movie. However, if my parents find out about this debt, I'm going to be a prisoner in my own house.

