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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 proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single retail application 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 totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious 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 inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.