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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added 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 stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £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 low-income family, where we’d experience 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 novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time 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 opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.