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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling 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

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Before buying any item, I’d place 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 space to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.