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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, 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 purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.