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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

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 purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.