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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my what I always did 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, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one 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 fact, I’d been infamous 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 inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

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