🔗 Share this article

One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up 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 opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

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

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.