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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. 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 notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably 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 sure why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.