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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included 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 stressed, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.