One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount 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. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.
A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips 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, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.
I was never entirely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.
A Revolutionary Approach
Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice 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 occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.
If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.
I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to acquire a separate device.
The Enduring Benefits
It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or discomfort.
Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.
Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have 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.
