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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to 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 I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – 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 ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.