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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally 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 pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command 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 straightforward.