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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 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 I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” 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 ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.