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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated 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 sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially 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 reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly 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.