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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit 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 launched every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

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

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

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my financial records devoid of 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 sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.