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

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 student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change 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 trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.