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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my phone. 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 unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned 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 certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.