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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 been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “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 start fresh. Using this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play 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 most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.