🔗 Share this article

One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: 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 apparel, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.