From a Spendthrift to a Smarter Spender: An Easy Strategy That Transformed My Habits

One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious 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 excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.