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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “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. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.