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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely 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 couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.