🔗 Share this article

One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. 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 short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. 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 notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my bank statements without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.