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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.