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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips 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 since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. 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 strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.