From Being a Spendthrift to a Savvy Consumer: The Simple Trick That Transformed My Habits

One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one 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 infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll 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 certain why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – something 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 accessed my shopping apps and found items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.