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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely 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 clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, 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 – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with 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, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.