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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. 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 anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in 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 digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.