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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did 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 parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. 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 board games.

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

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.