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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing 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 exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records without feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.