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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: 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 retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added 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 infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £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 experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without experiencing 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 warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.