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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, 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 few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. 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 mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or possibly, 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 experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started 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 discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.