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From Being a Compulsive Shopper to a Savvy Consumer: An Easy Strategy That Changed Everything
One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my device. 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 short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.
Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.
I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.
A Revolutionary Approach
In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.
If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.
I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.
The Enduring Benefits
It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or discomfort.
Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.
Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.
Clarence Scott
Elara is a passionate esports journalist with over a decade of experience covering major gaming events and trends.
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