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One day at work two years ago, 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 did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.