🔗 Share this article

One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. 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 because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment 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 readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started 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 items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing 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 buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now 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 primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.