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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated 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 because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, 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 waiting I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.