From Being a Spendthrift to a Savvy Consumer: The Simple Trick That Changed Everything

One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits 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 possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.