🔗 Share this article

One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my salary 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 shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought 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 didn't even fit me. 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 stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective 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 identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.