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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. 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 stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. 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 tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.