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One day at work 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 what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.