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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 what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one 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 ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play 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, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.