🔗 Share this article

One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try something new. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.