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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single retail application 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 completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice 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 adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my financial records devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.