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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, 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 doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.