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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or possibly, 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 decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.