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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips 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, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps 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 house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring 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 method was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring 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 realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.