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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single retail application 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 unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel 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 any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.