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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely unused 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 another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll 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 sure why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor 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 yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant 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 have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.