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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of 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, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.