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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. 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 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 poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, 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. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

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 acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.