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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 decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two 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 stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience 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 novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good 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 at last review my financial records without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.