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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 fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single 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, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

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

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to buy a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining 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.