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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of 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 anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

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

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.