🔗 Share this article

One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had 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 a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.