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One day at work 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 usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. 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 mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part 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 truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back 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 come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.