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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last look at my financial records without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.