From Being a Spendthrift to a Smarter Spender: The Simple Trick That Changed Everything

One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.