$1m shoe collection was filling an emotional void

Shoes
Made to confuse
Yeah, there's so many of 'em
I don't know which ones to choose

~ Shania Twain, Shoes

You may have heard about the wealthy hedge fund manager who sued his ex-wife for a share of her shoe collection. This week Daniel Shak dropped his case against his ex-wife Beth Shak, he had claimed that he was unaware of the shoe collection at the time of their divorce!                                                                           

Beth Shak, who is a professional poker player, has appeared on TV programmes such as the documentary God Save My Shoes, discussing her shoe obsession. After the court case she said, whilst reportedly wearing a pair of US$ 700 Yves St. Laurent high heels: "It really was a sickness, it was like a disease.”

In court papers she claimed that her obsession or sickness was because: "There was such a lack of emotion and love in my relationship that I was filling that void with shopping. I was shopping endlessly, I couldn't stop.”

In court she had claimed that the sickness was brought on due to her ex-husband’s lack of time and affection: "He would always say 'I'm busy. Leave me alone. Just go shopping or something.' And I would give in and just go do it."

"I wanted love and emotional support and affection but there was nothing. I tried to keep track of what I was buying but I lost control."

As Warren Buffett is fond of saying: "Only when you combine sound intellect with emotional discipline do you get rational behavior."

Ms Shak who has her own website showing her collection estimates she has 1,200 pairs of shoes including 700 pairs of Louboutins, costing between $700 to $4,000 per pair. 

Will Ms Shak’s admission help you overcome any emotional spending patterns? The best way to start is by admitting to yourself and then sharing with others to help them… share your story in the comments and beat the habit…

Pic bethshak.com