🔗 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 student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious 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 culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time 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 demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.