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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Prior to 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 time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.