From a Spendthrift to a Savvy Consumer: An Easy Strategy That Transformed My Habits

One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. 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 useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights 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, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.