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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.