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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up 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. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time 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 opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.