If you're anything like me — which is to say, compulsive and good at denial — then you must be happy with studies that show we can't help ourselves from binge shopping and overspending because our brain chemicals are out of balance. Our hearts pound, and our brains surge.

Buying stuff is the equivalent of releasing a pressure valve to allow our brains to function optimally. It's a personality trait that never goes away but over which the afflicted can choose to take control ...

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