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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items 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 had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips 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 stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped 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 realised I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.