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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor 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 novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my financial records without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.