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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 fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.