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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. 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 notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.