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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.