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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before buying anything, 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 – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.