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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 been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious 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 impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience 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 possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.