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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. 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 infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.