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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated 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 entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.