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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes 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 possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer 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 things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.