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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.