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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of 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 anxious, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “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 items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.