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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting 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 utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.