🔗 Share this article

One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive 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 about the reason. 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 moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy 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 only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses 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.