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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. 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. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, 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, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.