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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application 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 weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back 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 transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.