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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing 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 extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.