Confessions of a Shopaholic is the mother of this zine. I was profoundly inspired by this film and the girl in the green scarf. The protagonist hits home way too close. To be fully transparent, I do spend big when it comes down. I used to consume to cope with stress and personal dissatisfaction. After all, I did my best to confront the real issues rather than to manipulate myself that consuming goods and services is a way of self-care. We joke about getting little treats after every minor inconvenience or for doing any small chore. It is no longer funny when you realize that it is just you justifying the outrageous consuming behavior and not motivational. It felt like I was standing in the mirror when watching this film. The protagonist, who is supposed to give financial advice as a journalist, is actually a shopaholic with a wicked amount of credit card debt. How clever is that? The character is SO real. 

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It is a whimsical depiction of consumerism and capitalistic tragedy. Now we're in the age of overconsuming "vintage," "thrifted" goods, we can all relate to Rebecca Bloomwood--just another victim of capitalist culture. Nonetheless, we are all victims of credit-card propaganda. Credit Cards. They're magical, maybe a bit evil, but it's still pretty sweet. Bloomwood calls out credit companies' two-faced attitude--turning valued customers into debt criminals with a single snap. We normalized the use of credits from the beginning. Children grow up watching their parents use the magic card (from swipe to modern tap). It's undeniable that all of us are actually trained from a young age to normalize consumption and be familiar with consumer culture. We are trained from birth.

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Capitalist society's biggest agenda is to have members as lifelong consumers. Till the death parts us. 

Babies demanding their daily fresh milk, kids putting their sticky hands on new Buzz and Woody, teens going off with parent's American Express. We gradually convince ourselves credit card is our friend...a one-night hitter, a sugar papi, an ex that always returns, or that friend you love only when you're drunk. Each one of us is Rebecca Bloomwood. We know how it feels to be in her kitten heels. 

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The journey this film takes--the support group, the cycle of spending, relapse, the lies, the promises, the lesson, the consequences--is something we all can resonate with. Whichever stage you're at, it tells you one thing: you can stop it from consuming your life by stopping consumption.  It is not overly quirky, its atmosphere thrives early 2000s, and most importantly, it gives clarity.