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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened 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 clothes, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

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

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally look at my bank statements without experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.