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

One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, 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. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – 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 exploits this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.