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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time 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 readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.