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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.