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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated 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 adequate camera, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.