The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic discussion

The time I read this book I felt so related to her, because I'm not that good at saving money as well. The fact that this leads to debt in her situation, made me think about it more and it also led to feeling scared, too.

What are your experiences? Can you say: "Rebecca Bloomwood goes through the same situation as I do - referring to her financial problems." And how do you cope with it? Do you also have some great advices?

I'd be pleased to read some of your reports. (:

I think all of us could relate to Becky in a way as in spending a lot, but not going as far as to having financial problems. I like the way the author hasn't just made us feel absolutely disgusted with her, but actually quite the opposite. It definitely is very interesting.

not only I could relate to Becky when it comes to shopping and money issues. But, also her her feelings towards her parents, how they treat her, the conversations, how they want to run or control her life sometimes...I could relate even though am from a different country, tradition and religion.....but her parents words and thoughts were exactly the same as mine.

hell yes, i can relate to her..she makes us feel that its okay to do wrong, to make mistakes, to lie, to cheat, to fall but what matters is the desire to put everything behind for a new tomorrow...future probably has a better plans for us...it gives us hope...it makes life seem better....

Oh yeah. I recently had been laid off and now am forced to really think about being responsible financially. This book brought humor into a topic I do not typically find humorous. I am thinking about my future and situations where I have to spend money. It gave me a fresh perspective about materialism. Life is full of so much more than shopping and gaining things.

Oh my gosh I am not a spender the way she is but every time I read the books or watch the film I get anxiety about my finances. What with house improvement stuff we have found ourselves in debt at time. I guess though now that we are on the up swing I can read her with less heart palpitations! I wish my debt was on Burberry and Tiffany......well maybe a little bit of it was ; )

this book made me laugh and spend all my money.

Yes, in fact I'm glad that I'm not the only one, I've got Becky with me even though she's a fictional character.

I love shopping and for me it's somehow therapeutic. However, God forbid I end up in debt like her.

That is why they call it retail therapy, it is easier to buy something to make ourselves feel better after a bad day, or just as a booster. My weakness is pedicures, I find this utterly relaxing.

I think I relate to her in that I really don't have the money to spend on expensive things.

But I'm not really someone who loves shopping so I can't relate to her blowing her budget on a pair of shoes, lol.

I can totally relate to Becky! I use almost the same justifications that she does for why I simply must buy something. Although, I don't spend quite as much on a pair of shoes that she does, but it would be nothing for me to walk into a store and buy 6 pair at a time!

Shopping is definitely therapeutic!! I have recently learned a secret that works for me though. When I'm having a really bad day and I go out and therapy shop, I find that in a week or two, I have no problem taking it all back. This is a good practice for two reasons: One, it serves the initial purpose of making you feel good by buying something and then, two, when you return the stuff (that you didn't really need in the first place) you actually think that you're getting money back!! Hey! It works for me! ;-)

I can relate to Becky in the first book getting into the mess financially once or twice is understandable but to be honest after book three when she still hasn't learnt her lesson I find her annoying - how could any one be that stupid! But I still love the books

I can relate to Becky on a small scale, sometimes I have been known to spend more than I should. She is obviously and exaggerated fictional character and for that reason I can enjoy the books. I think her lying is beyond believable but I did enjoy the letters to her bank (can't remember the guys name) very funny!

Andrea,
I feel the same way about Becky. Even though I can relate on some level, I too found it annoying that after a certain amount of time she hadn't even begun to learn her lesson. Have you read Mini Shopaholic yet? I found that book to be REALLY annoying because now she is responsible for a kid and she's still a nut!! LOL! But, I too continue to read the series. It's all in good fun!

no i havent read that one yet but im sure i will soon

i couldnt disagree to everything in this book

I can relate to Becky. From the moment I picked up Confessions of a Shopaholic she was a girl after my own heart. She gave me a certain amount of comfort because I too overspent on clothes but not to the point where I had the bank manager chasing after me! I didn't like Shopaholic and Baby though and I don't live in my overdraft anymore... although just recently I did splurge on a Vivienne Westwood bag and purse and found myself lying about the price. Hmm, so maybe more like Becky than i'd care to admit.

I can relate to Becky, I believe in the healing aspects of retail therapy. But not so far to go into bankruptcy, or have the creditors after me.

I can relate to her wanting to spend money, but I don't do that at all. I love how Kinsella brings humor to a shopping addiction, and how it says in her bio that she has a great relationship with her bank manager (so she is not like Becky at all). I am fascinated by addictive behaviors like this, things not as damaging as drugs or anything illegal. That's why I wrote my novel about a relationship addict, who is sort of crazy like Becky, though has a completely different personality because these types of addictions result from different perceptions and life experiences.
I really liked the movie too.
The only thing that upset me was Becky paying off her debt in pennies. I thought that was too childish and low class. She was the one who got herself into the financial crisis and then lied constantly to her bank. I can easily forgive her for that, but seeking vengeance on the bank guy that was just doing his job was petty.

I can relate to Becky as well. I absolutely loved the first book and the movie. I haven't had the time to read further into the series, but they are on my book list. She is such a whack job, but so down to earth about the way (some) girls feel about shopping. It's so true that there is no feeling like it. And I'm not what you would call a high maintenance woman. I don't get all worked up about labels and designer brands, but, oh how I love a new pair of boots!! I must admit that in the past, I have lied to my husband about the cost of purchases... I don't do that any more, though. Of course, I have a higher paying job and bring home just about as much money as him. So, I guess I feel more justified in spending the money. Great question :)

I actually felt quite annoyed, when she kept spending money, even though she knew her financial problems..
I can't really realte to her, 'except when she want to buy clothes on sale.. why not make a good deal out of it if you want to buy knew clothes right?..
I think the book was hilarious when i read it, but still it was kind a annoying, seeing her build up all these problems for herself..

I can totally relate to Becky. I just can't relate to some of her actions. Debt is a real life thing that many people deal with and there's nothing funny about it. But I do like that the writer made it fantastical and light. It's a way of bringing to light such a tough subject.

Essz wrote: "I actually felt quite annoyed, when she kept spending money, even though she knew her financial problems..
I can't really realte to her, 'except when she want to buy clothes on sale.. why not make ..."

I totally agree with you about how you felt annoyed by her.

I can relate to her. I'm not good with my money either (but I'm not in debt) also she's misunderstood most of the time. People just don't get me. She has a huge imagination so am I. That's why Confessions of a Shopaholic is my favorite book ever.

yuppp i'm more careful though i dn spend money i dn have, but the shopping addiction thing... oh yeah!

I could not relate at all. I thought she was very vapid. I don't understand why people would spend so much on a pair of shoes.

I think Becky is a very relate-able character. I have trouble saving money and occasionally have a bit of a shopping problem (though I am not in debt).

Patrice wrote: "Essz wrote: "I actually felt quite annoyed, when she kept spending money, even though she knew her financial problems..
I can't really realte to her, 'except when she want to buy clothes on sale.. ..."

Yearh.. it would be okay if she finally learns from her mistakes, but thats just the annoying part! - she doesn't!!!??

Nope, and in her other books, well I don't want to give the plot away. I guess being a shopaholic, or chocoholic, people either need retail therapy, so that is always the underlying theme.

i can relate to becky when I was a teenager. i was great at saving money because it automatically came out of an account i couldnt touch. fill up my car on pay day and hope it last every other penny i made went to my horrible shopping habits. why one girl needs so many tops is beyond me but will i get rid of them? no they still fit just fine might find a day to wear them.
only thing that saves me now is i practically live in a village.

Janet wrote: "Andrea,
I feel the same way about Becky. Even though I can relate on some level, I too found it annoying that after a certain amount of time she hadn't even begun to learn her lesson. Have you re..."

I agree. I had to read those awful books due to the publishing house I work for. It's superficial, ridiculous and she's a bimbo. While people are starving in Africa - her biggest problem is saving up for another pair of shoes. I love shopping and I do splash out. But she's just stupid. But I find Kinsella's books to be uber chick lit. I prefer something less superficial and slightly deeper. Her books all follow a certain cliched ingredient found in the chick lit genre (klutzy female, tall, dark handsome guy, shopping).

Thank God there's a backlash against that type of heroine now... although I'm not sure I like the Bella serious-brooding type of herione either. What a dilemma!

I can relate to her as far as being in debt goes. It seems like there is always more going out than coming in. What I can not do is justify spending a ridiculous amount on any designer item. Luckily I am not a shoes, purse, clothes person.

Oh my gosh, when I first read this years ago I thought, OMG ITS ME! It was like an author finally knew what it was like to be a girly girl haha :) and every new one that comes out I read and can completely relate to, I love Becky Bloomwood!

Nouran wrote: "yuppp i'm more careful though i dn spend money i dn have, but the shopping addiction thing... oh yeah!"

Here here! haha!

Stephanie wrote: "I can relate to Becky as well. I absolutely loved the first book and the movie. I haven't had the time to read further into the series, but they are on my book list. She is such a whack job, but..."

Great answer! I agree with everything,lol!

I can't really relate to Becky in terms of her shopping addiction, but I can relate to her in other ways. She daydreams a lot, feels a bit silly/clumsy compared to other women who can seem so glamorous and poised, worries about some things way too much, and often seems like an underdog.

I love the way Kinsella makes her protagonists flawed, but always sweet, kind, and well-intentioned--you often feel like you are rooting for the underdog, which is something I quite enjoy. Also every single one of her books is hilarious--to the point of inducing fits of laughter (public service announcement: read her books in public and you may attract stares due to your constant giggling). Because of this, these books are very uplifting and (in my experience) can cheer you up from almost anything.

If you don't like Becky (or at least appreciate the humor of her antics), you must be in a league with Venetia or Alicia--yuck.

I can't relate to her as I am not a shopping type of person. But then the way Sophie Kinsella delivered Becky's struggle, I can't help but laugh all throughout.

I think almost evert women has a part of Becky in them. Me, not good on saving 'coz sometime I think i make the money so why can't spend it? and life is so short but what if something happen and I need the money?
There are two side of everything.
Sometime is so hard to deny shopping, especially on something that you are really love it.
so I try to balance before I buy thing that I love it or I like it. I would buy if I love it only so I won't feel guity after that.

In a way.. yes :)

Goddess wrote: "Thank God there's a backlash against that type of heroine now... although I'm not sure I like the Bella serious-brooding type of herione either. What a dilemma!

I love your comment. Her spending and priorities are ridiculous. If you have to freeze your credit cards to not use them is BAD, but to dig them out for a superficial "emergency" is even worse.

I read them all not because I was forced but because I am addicted to series'. I have all the Stephanie Plum stories but havent read them because she keeps make more for me to collect. I guess I am a Janet Evanovich-aholic lol.

i thot she was good hearted..but a coward. i can so see myself getting attached to the little boy.i felt her rage..she should have done something, not just take it.

I could when the book first came out. I thought OMG that is so me. I could relate a little up until about the time of Shopoholic and Sister and by then I thought Becky was a half-witted twit. Don't get me wrong I still read the books purely for entertainment but Becky is a bumbling idiot and I honestly don't know how she has come as far as she has in life the way that she is.

It does seem a stretch that in the book she became a financial wizard when she couldn't even control her own debt. That seemed like a stretch to me.

Becky is hilarious, that's why I love reading about her! I'm nothing like her though since I don't like to shop. I just love the way Sophie Kinsella describes Becky and all her trials and tribulations as a shopaholic.

I think she is a compulsive liar and has absolutely no self control over anything in her life. I forced myself to finish this book, but I won't read anymore of the series. I truly see no redeemable quality about her.

I can relate to her because I am a little in debt and I can't save money with my current occupation.
And she actually made me angry. Because she is playing the bank and nobody seems to do anything about it. Here in real life if you are in debt you can't go to your bank and ask for extra money. They won't give it to you and furthermore they take actions. You can't play them.

I can't relate to Becky at all. I'm usually very critical of where I'm spending my money, and whether or not I'm actually going to use what I'm about to buy. Regardless of this, I really liked the character, even though at some points I really wanted to yell at her. I've read all the shopaholic books many times because I loved Becky and the way she solves her problems is sometimes quite hilarious.

I think the whole book and series is meant to be funny and simply make you laugh. It isn't supposed to be real nor a learning experience or an educational one. It is fiction after all, Becky is supposedly a shopaholic trying disparately to get out of debt and rid herself of shopping addiction. I found it funny, however I do admit she does sometimes get out of control and a bit overbearing.

I don't like shopping, I don't 'do' shoes or handbags, the labels in my closet are most likely to be 'reduced' or 'George' I have zero interest in fashion and I don't overspend...but I love the shopaholic books!

No i could not relate to her and this was the only main character of a SK book where I didn't related to the protagonist as much I wanted to. Somehow I could not understand her over obsession with shopping to the extent of losing her job may be because i dislike going for shopping. But really liked this book a lot! It was Fun-read!!