That's interesting; I have not experienced that particular spending loop. But here's what happened to me, instead: since my kids were first born, I have occasionally worked part-time, but there were other periods where either (a) a kid needed my full attention, (b) I was too depressed to both parent and work, or (c) I couldn't find an appropriate part-time job. During those times, I was starved for achievement, and shopping for bargains became my "work". I knew, but couldn't emotionally convince myself, that spending money on something you don't need is still spending money on something you don't need, even when it's a REALLY GREAT DEAL. Now I'm earning money again... and suddenly I'm much less tempted to spend it.