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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 did my usual payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. 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 house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.