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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. 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 stressed, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements without feeling shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.