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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, 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 continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d place 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 gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.