🔗 Share this article

One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my bank statements without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.