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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.