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One day at work two years ago, 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 device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of 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 anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, 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 discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying things 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 store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.