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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique 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 actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

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

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.