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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of 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 stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

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 ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.