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

One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like most people, 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 things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.