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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant 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 non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.