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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

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

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, 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 done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.