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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 decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor 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 yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records without feeling shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.