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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Before buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.