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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two 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 uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.