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

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 student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my device. 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 unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.