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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor 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 had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.