One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. 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 phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.
A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.
Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.
I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning 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 try a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.
If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.
I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.
The Lasting Impact
It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.
Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless spending.
Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. 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 revolutionary as it is straightforward.
