Collectors MD

The Collectors MD Recovery Guide

Extended Version

For personal use—expanded with full context for deeper reflection and long-term growth.

A Recovery & Support Guide for Compulsive Collecting & Overspending

INTRODUCTION

Collectors MD is a peer-led community of individuals who have experienced the challenges of compulsive collecting and overspending. We come together to share our experiences, strengths, and hopes—supporting one another in building healthier relationships with our hobbies, finances, friends, family and emotional well-being.

Collectors MD exists because collecting isn’t always just collecting. Sometimes it starts as fun—nostalgic, exciting, rewarding—and slowly becomes something else entirely: an escape, a coping mechanism, a financial burden, or a source of shame.

This guide was created for anyone who’s crossed that line—or fears they’re getting close. It’s not a rulebook or therapy manual. It’s a collection of lived experiences, practical tools, and community wisdom to help you regain clarity, control, and connection.

You won’t find judgment here. Just honesty, support, and a way forward.

TOOLS FOR RECOVERY — THE 3 “MDs“

We believe in practical, sustainable change. Below are core tools and guiding principles that support healthier spending and hobby participation:

Mental Detox Practices:

  • Practice mindful consumption. Ask yourself: does this serve me or just distract me?
  • Declutter your space and your screen. Let go of what no longer resonates.
  • Take breaks from apps, influencers, notifications, and product drops.

Money Discipline Strategies:

  • Set a clear monthly budget for your hobbies and spending.
  • Track every purchase with intention—not shame.
  • Implement a 24-hour pause before unplanned purchases.

Making Meaningful Decisions:

  • Make decisions based on your values—not hype or external pressure.
  • Ask: Is this bringing me peace or pushing me deeper into compulsion?
  • Reflect on whether the purchase aligns with your long-term vision.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

By participating in Collectors MD, you commit to fostering a supportive, confidential environment. Respect for each person’s journey is essential. Together, we strive for balance, awareness, and growth.

  • Show up. Be honest. Hold space for others.
  • Respect confidentiality and shared stories.
  • Offer support, not solutions.
  • We heal through being heard.

PART 1: WHEN SPENDING TURNS

Compulsive behavior doesn’t always look the same. For some, it’s impulse buying. For others, it’s secrecy, guilt, or the constant need for more. It might be hours spent browsing, or anxiety when you’re not actively chasing the next “fix”.

This isn’t about labeling yourself. It’s about giving language to patterns you already recognize.

  • Have you felt the need to hide purchases?
  • Do you experience regret after spending?
  • Do you rely on new packages or purchases for emotional relief?
  • Are you chasing something that no longer brings you joy?

You’re not broken. You’re not alone. There is a better way forward.

PART 2: THE CYCLE

Compulsion feeds on momentum. You score something big—you feel alive. You miss, and you convince yourself the next one is “it”.

You justify spending with:

  • “It was on sale.”
  • “I’ll flip it later.”
  • “I deserved a treat.”

Then it shows up… and the high fades. You move on to the next.

Recognizing the cycle is step one. Interrupting it is step two.

PART 3: MOMENTUM VS. INTENTION

Collectors MD encourages a “pause-first mindset”. We’re not here to say “never spend”. We’re here to help you get clear on why you’re spending—and choose from a grounded place.

Try this:

  • Pause before you click “buy”.
  • Name the Urge. Are you bored? Stressed? Lonely?
  • Re-center. What’s the intention behind this purchase?
  • Choose Intentionally. Spend from peace—not panic.

These are muscles. And they get stronger with time.

PART 4: DEFINING RECOVERY

Recovery isn’t rigid. It’s honest. For some, it means stopping entirely. For others, it means building structure around your spending.

You define what recovery looks like. Collectors MD is here to help you:

  • Set boundaries that serve you
  • Stay accountable (without shame)
  • Rebuild trust—financial, emotional, relational
  • Rediscover joy without chaos

PART 5: THE TWELVE STEPS (REWRITTEN FOR CMD)

  1. We admitted that our spending or collecting had taken control of our lives in ways we couldn’t ignore.
  2. We began to believe that with the right support, we could find peace again.
  3. We committed to asking for help and opening ourselves up to community-based recovery.
  4. We took an honest look at our habits and the patterns driving them.
  5. We shared those truths with someone safe and trusted, without shame.
  6. We became willing to let go of the behaviors that no longer served us.
  7. We asked for support in making those changes—because it’s hard to do alone.
  8. We identified the people our behavior may have hurt, including ourselves.
  9. We made amends where we could—with compassion and accountability.
  10. We kept checking in with ourselves—and owned it when we slipped.
  11. We practiced regular reflection, mindfulness, and openness to growth.
  12. We committed to helping others by showing up honestly, without judgment.

PART 6: COMMUNITY & ACCOUNTABILITY

Recovery happens in connection.

Our peer-support meetings exist so you can:

  • Share without shame
  • Listen and be heard
  • Find and offer support
  • Stay grounded through real talk

We’re not therapists or experts. We’re just people who get it.

PART 7: FINANCIAL CLARITY

You don’t have to be a budgeting pro. You just have to start paying attention.

  • Set a monthly spending limit that aligns with your needs
  • Track every transaction (awareness is power)
  • Reflect often: What purchases are bringing value? What’s just noise?
  • Remove saved payment info or log out of apps if needed

If you feel like you’re spiraling or unable to control your spending, it’s okay to hit pause completely. You can temporarily or even permanently hand over your financial decisions to someone you trust—whether that means letting a partner, parent or sibling manage your budget, using prepaid cards, or adding layers of friction to your purchases. It’s not weakness. It’s protection.

Freedom doesn’t mean more stuff. It means peace of mind.

PART 8: EMOTIONAL DETOX

Compulsive spending often masks something deeper—stress, loneliness, shame, boredom, or trauma.

Cards won’t fix that. A new pair of sneakers won’t fix that. New gear won’t fix that. A package at your door won’t fix that.

But community, honesty, and emotional reset can.

  • Journal. Reflect. Get it out.
  • Talk to someone you trust.
  • Build new routines that ground you offline.

PART 9: STAYING GROUNDED

The world is built to make you feel like you’re behind. Social feeds. Drops. Timed sales. Scarcity models.

You’re not behind. You’re not missing out.

You don’t have to chase every new release. You don’t have to match someone’s shelf. You don’t need more to matter more.

You only need your pace, your peace, your values.

PART 10: THE TWENTY QUESTIONS

These questions are adapted from Gamblers Anonymous and tailored for compulsive spending and collecting:

  1. Have you ever hidden how much you’ve spent on purchases?
  2. Do you spend more than you planned—often?
  3. Have you sold personal items to fund impulse spending?
  4. Have you lied to friends or partners about your habits?
  5. Are you checking shopping or auction platforms daily—or hourly?
  6. Have you skipped work or social plans because of your hobby?
  7. Do you feel anxious when you’re not buying?
  8. Have you borrowed money or gone into debt to keep spending?
  9. Have you promised to stop—but didn’t?
  10. Do you justify purchases as “investments” when they’re not?
  11. Do you feel a “rush” when spending—and regret after?
  12. Do you avoid looking at your account or credit card balance?
  13. Have you felt jealous comparing your collection to others?
  14. Do you shop or spend to cope with negative emotions?
  15. Have you tried to set limits and broken them?
  16. Do you buy things you don’t actually want?
  17. Has your behavior impacted your relationships, job, or health?
  18. Does your hobby now feel more like pressure than joy?
  19. Have you felt out of control?
  20. Do you worry you may have a problem?

If you’ve answered yes to at least one of these questions, you’re in the right place. You’re not alone. We’re here for you.

GUIDANCE FOR NEW MEMBERS

  1. Attend often. Growth comes through consistency.
  2. Stay connected. Reach out between meetings.
  3. Limit temptation. Step back from platforms, triggers, or influencers that disrupt your progress.
  4. One day at a time. You don’t need to fix everything today.
  5. Return to the basics. Revisit the questions. Re-read the steps.
  6. Seek support. A sponsor or accountability partner can be game-changing.
  7. Talk finances. Join a group or chat to reset your financial habits.
  8. Be patient. You’re not broken. You’re building.

CLOSING

This guide won’t solve everything. But maybe it gives you a place to start.

Collectors MD is a movement—not to judge, but to support. Not to dictate, but to remind you that you’re not alone.

It’s okay to spend differently. To slow down. To reset.

You are not your transactions. You are not what you bought. You are already enough.

#CollectorsMD
Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

This adaptation is inspired by the principles of Gamblers Anonymous and tailored to address the unique challenges faced by collectors. For more information on the original GA program, please visit Gamblers Anonymous.

Abbreviated Version

For group use—simplified for clarity, reflection, and pacing.

INTRODUCTION

Collectors MD is a peer-led support community for those who feel collecting has crossed the line—from joy to stress, guilt, or financial strain. This guide is here to help you reset, reflect, and rebuild your relationship with the hobby.

TOOLS FOR RECOVERY — THE 3 “MDs“

Mental Detox
– Take breaks from apps and drops
– Unfollow triggers
– Be mindful of your emotions while browsing

Money Discipline
– Set a monthly hobby budget
– Track your purchases
– Pause 24 hours before impulse buys

Meaningful Decisions
– Ask: Is this purchase aligned with my values?
– Am I collecting for joy—or to escape?

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

By being part of Collectors MD, you’re committing to a safe, respectful space where everyone’s journey is honored.

  • Show up honestly
  • Respect confidentiality
  • Support, don’t fix
  • Hold space for others to be heard and seen

PART 1: WHEN SPENDING TURNS

Not all compulsive behavior looks the same. It could be hiding purchases, constant regret, or needing the next “hit” to feel okay. The first step is recognizing something’s off.

PART 2: THE CYCLE

You spend. You feel high. Then the regret hits. So you chase again. It’s momentum-driven. Breaking the cycle starts with awareness and interrupting the pattern.

PART 3: MOMENTUM VS. INTENTION

We don’t preach “never spend”—we practice pause-first.
Ask:

  • What’s driving this urge?
  • Will this bring peace or chaos?
  • Can I choose with intention, not impulse?

PART 4: DEFINING RECOVERY

Recovery is different for everyone. For some, it means stopping completely. For others, it’s about structure, boundaries, and accountability—with support and without shame.

PART 5: THE TWELVE STEPS (REWRITTEN FOR CMD)

  1. We admitted our hobby had taken control.
  2. We believed support could bring peace.
  3. We committed to asking for help.
  4. We examined our habits honestly.
  5. We shared those truths with someone safe.
  6. We became ready to change.
  7. We asked for help making those changes.
  8. We identified those we hurt—ourselves included.
  9. We made amends where possible.
  10. We kept checking in with ourselves.
  11. We practiced reflection and growth.
  12. We gave back by showing up for others.

PART 6: COMMUNITY & ACCOUNTABILITY

Healing happens in community. Show up. Be real. Hold space for others. Support without fixing. Confidentiality is key.

PART 7: FINANCIAL CLARITY

Set a hobby budget. Track spending. Pause before purchases. Remove saved payment info. If needed, hand control to someone trusted.

PART 8: EMOTIONAL DETOX

Compulsive buying often hides deeper pain. New cards won’t fix stress, shame, or loneliness. But honesty and new routines can.

PART 9: STAYING GROUNDED

Comparison is poison. You’re not behind. You don’t need every drop. Stick to your pace, your peace, your values.

PART 10: THE TWENTY QUESTIONS

These questions are adapted from GA and tailored for compulsive spending and collecting:

  1. Do you hide how much you spend?
  2. Do you overspend often?
  3. Have you sold things to fund your hobby?
  4. Have you lied about purchases?
  5. Do you check apps constantly?
  6. Have you missed work or plans due to collecting?
  7. Do you get anxious when not buying?
  8. Have you gone into debt over your hobby?
  9. Have you broken promises to stop?
  10. Do you justify everything as “investments”?
  11. Do you feel a high when buying—and regret after?
  12. Do you avoid looking at your finances?
  13. Do you compare your collection to others?
  14. Do you spend to cope with emotions?
  15. Have you set limits and broken them?
  16. Do you buy things you don’t actually want?
  17. Has your behavior strained your relationships or health?
  18. Does your hobby feel like pressure instead of joy?
  19. Have you felt out of control?
  20. Do you worry you have a problem?

If you answered yes to even one of the questions, you’re not alone. You’re in the right place.

GUIDANCE FOR NEW MEMBERS

  1. Attend often.
  2. Stay connected. 
  3. Limit temptation. 
  4. One day at a time. 
  5. Return to the basics. 
  6. Seek support. 
  7. Talk finances. 
  8. Be patient. 

CLOSING

This is a space for support, not shame. You’re not alone. You’re not broken. We’re here to walk this path together—one intentional choice at a time.

#CollectorsMD
Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.