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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, 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 doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.