From a Compulsive Shopper to a Savvy Consumer: An Easy Strategy That Changed Everything

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

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of 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 stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements without experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, 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 sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.