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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 student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included 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 ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, 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, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.