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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

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

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse 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 because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try something new. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.