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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips 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 uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.