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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned 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 fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably 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. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience 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 exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – something 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?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, 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 spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.