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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. 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 readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.