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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up 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 retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two 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 anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.