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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had 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 a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure 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 brighten up the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, 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 reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.