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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to buy a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.