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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. 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 retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another 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 fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Prior to buying any item, 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 gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

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 without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary 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 pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.