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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method 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 need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.