🔗 Share this article

One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m hastening 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 exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.