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One afternoon at my job two years ago, 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 launched every single retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. 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 infamous for it since I started earning.

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

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.