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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.