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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual 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 parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.