🔗 Share this article

One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.