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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. 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 ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of 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 best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my financial records devoid of feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.