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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. 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 started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.