🔗 Share this article

One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous 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 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 sure why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to think – something 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?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.