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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £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 hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips 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 since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.