🔗 Share this article

One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. 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 retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. 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 since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back 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 transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.