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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.