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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. 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, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy three board 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 phone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements without experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.