(emotional) Hey, big spender!

There's nothing wrong with a little "retail therapy", but too much of a good thing can wreak financial havoc. Mindful money coach Marnita Oppermann offers some tips on smart spending.

- ROBYN MACLARTY

Emotional spending can be tricky to treat. Why? Because it works so well! Whether we're scouring for something particular or not, swiping our cards can make us feel good - ecstatic, even. And when life just keeps slinging curveballs, why wouldn't we grab hold of whatever pleasure we can find?

In 2015, Marnita Opperman's spending "habit" was so out of control that she hit financial rock bottom. She was over-indebted, with no savings or investments and nearly 70% of her salary going into repaying debts. "Sleepless nights over money were not what I had envisioned for my 30s," she shares.