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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned 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 reality, I’d been infamous 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 culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a smartphone, 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 means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records without feeling guilt or discomfort.

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

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.