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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

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

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was due to 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 hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try something new. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.