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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one 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 bored, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse 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 because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my financial records without experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.