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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to think – an action 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 accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements without experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.