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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended 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 entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.