From Being a Spendthrift to a Smarter Spender: The Simple Trick That Transformed My Habits

One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.