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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. 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 short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – 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 come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt 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 radical as it is straightforward.