🔗 Share this article

One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. 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 shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. 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, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

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

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.