Spending money with bipolar disorder. Mania, hypomania.

I am normally a saver, but I do tend to spend money when my mood is elevated. When I was manic, I spent money with no income. Hypomanic, I also tend to spend, but am more aware not to touch my savings. The things I purchase are all symbolic. I am very aware of the influence of marketing and advertising - it can feel personally 'inspiring' to me and connecting to my story. I tend to buy art materials in bright colours rather than clothes and shoes. Very occasionally jewellery which is symbolic.
Some things I do to help curb spending
- manage mood episodes to prevent full mania
- don't have a credit card, only a debit card
- transfer some savings to a separate online banking account every 1-2 weeks. Even on my low income, I can still save at least $20
- take a photo of what 'inspires' me or grabs my attention or that I want (use discretion in stores so that don't get told off).
- resist the urge to impulse buy big ticket items - put on hold as a reward later down the track (I want an electric piano, but I want to wait until after I've completed another art exhibition, even though I have enough money saved to buy one now).
- set limits (like when I decided to impulse buy in an op shop for 'processing' objects, I decided to set a limit of $10
- only buy if the item is really significant and you still have money for your usual expenses plus savings
- recognise that there may be a story behind the object (a photo might be enough to satisfy that urge to impulse buy)
I have also gotten rid of nearly all my possessions during episodes - partly because they were connected with pain (including a house without receiving any money). I have given stuff away, sold it or destroyed it.
I have very few possessions these days. My paints, felt pens, paint pens are amongst my treasures. I intend to part with my current body or art sometime next year.