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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income 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 subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.