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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £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 included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.