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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.