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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application 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 completely useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always 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 entirely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records without feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.