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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 fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “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 due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased acquiring 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 understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.