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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my phone. 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 completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.