🔗 Share this article

One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: 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 shopping app on my phone. 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 weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy 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 buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.