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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious 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 ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden 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 decided to try something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – 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?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.