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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. 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 began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

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

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – 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 ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.