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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.