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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements without feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command 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.