Tam Patachako, a young woman who grew up in a low-income household, recently started shopping differently. This change has drastically changed where they are spending their money. After years of impulsive buying, including unnecessary items like LED strip lights and shoes that were not even in their size, Patachako began to ask a pivotal question: “Do I actually need this?” This change in thinking is a product of deep-rooted fiscal constraints. It has revolutionized the way they think about buying.
Patachako’s mother struggled to make ends meet for most of their lives. For many of them, it meant going several months between purchases of new clothes or home decor. That type of childhood fostered a sense of lack and impulse whenever the chance to spend came along. When Patachako got their first paycheck two years ago, jubilation was in the room. The temptation to spend it all immediately on low-cost items flooded in. The very first thing I bought was a hairdryer immediately followed by a long list of other small purchases that added up fast. What should have been a straightforward spend of £5 turned first into £20 and then much further.
Patachako started to notice their spending habits when they were buying three board games. Almost instantly, they both saw how infrequently they played games of that sort. This unexpected time for introspection led to a reconsideration of all the small purchases we had once made with ease. “Oh never mind, tut, that’s only £5…” was the attitude which had all too often let the budget/line item go overrunning. Patachako has created a terrific new approach. Today, they’re asking consumers to load up their digital carts and sit on it for 24 hours before finalizing the decision to check out.
Despite vague promises, that cautious management style has resulted in permanent shifts in the way they shop. Today, Patachako regularly empties shopping carts on sites like Amazon, Depop, and Zara. They intervene when things languish too long. This approach not only prevents impulse purchases but fosters these new habits of more intentional buying.
A recent lawsuit brought this new tactic to light. Only after spending £90 in one hour on clothing, home decor, and a weighted blanket did Patachako find out that the weighted blanket was still in its original packaging. The moral of our shopping spree’s story further deepened the message struck by the drum circles —be intentional in your buying habits.
Patachako’s journey toward mindful shopping goes beyond just saving money on things she doesn’t need. Equally as much I’d argue it’s about tackling some deeper psychological patterns that are attached to childhood wounds. Or, they’re dreaming of purchasing a new fisheye lens for their next vacation to Croatia. This wish reveals the maturity of the consumer journey they’ve taken, moving from the easily influenced, impulse buyer to the consideration stage — a potential customer who values their needs vs. their wants.
Tam Patachako on a recent visit to Loris Parfum in Norwich, seen here shopping around. As they emerge from the era of rampant consumerism, they’ve adopted a healthier attitude toward spending that influences their purchases. Like you, they hope to be in a much better financial place after this transformation. They hope to encourage others who are dealing with the same obstacles.