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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. 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 phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. 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 stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling 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

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records without feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.