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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of 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, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily 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 decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.