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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included 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 since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice 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 started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.