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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.