Thinking about the shopping/purchasing coping mechanism, my mom, and the adage, “money does not buy happiness,” along with my own experiences overcoming habitual purchases. There is a positive feedback mechanism present in shopping purchases that is rational. For me, that drug is hope. Perhaps that reflection resonates with others too.
“money can’t buy happiness” used to be a saying for rich people so to make them more grounded and stop their endless chasing of wealth since they already have it, but over time it became a saying targeted at working and middle class to stop chasing financial stability altogether. It’s a tool now used by the wealthy so they doesn’t get out-competed.