Rhapsody Gonzalez, a 38-year-old social media content creator from North London, is repaying over £18,000 in debt after a shopping addiction led her to spend up to £1,000 a month on clothes, sometimes prioritising purchases over nappies and formula for her two-year-old son.
Debt accumulation and turning point
Gonzalez's spending habits escalated after her son's birth and a PTSD diagnosis. Initially taking out a £4,000 loan, she later discovered Klarna, a buy-now-pay-later service, and took an additional £2,000 loan for a new wardrobe, aspiring to become a fashion influencer. She spent between £600 and £1,000 monthly on luxury clothes, amassing 170 pairs of shoes since her teens. Her debt grew further with two online creator courses costing £7,000 and £2,000 in loans, plus a £6,945 tax bill in 2025, totalling £18,375.
The turning point came in December 2025 when a friend revealed similar credit card debt, prompting Gonzalez to map her finances in January 2026. She discovered the full extent of her debt and began repayment.
Impact on family and addiction recognition
Gonzalez admitted she sometimes lacked money for her son's essentials. "After I had my son I didn't have enough money to buy formula and nappies because I spent all my money on my clothes," she said. She would lie to her mother, claiming she needed money for shopping. Recognising her behaviour as an addiction, she noted, "It soothes me to just browse clothes. When I'm anxious or anything really I enjoy it, it makes me feel good and it's not until I actually purchase it that's when the guilt kicks in."
Repayment strategy
Gonzalez is selling clothes on Vinted, clearing £1,000 so far from £600 in sales. She has extended credit by switching to a Virgin bank account offering two years interest-free to pay off debt. She is also undertaking a no-buy year. After monthly debt payments, she has £300 left from her £1,600 wage. She has cleared one £4,000 loan and still owes £5,000 on a credit card from Klarna and PayPal, plus a £2,000 M&S loan.
Broader awareness
Gonzalez hopes to reduce stigma around shopping addiction. "We know about substance abuse and being an alcoholic or someone who gambles but people don't know it's possible to be addicted to shopping," she said. She has received over 50 messages from women in similar situations. She encourages others to speak to their GP. "I do want people to not feel ashamed and to realise it is an addiction and then hopefully turn around or even go and speak to their GP about it."
