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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate 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 need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.