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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up 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 hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.