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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience 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 desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally 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.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.