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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try something new. 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 reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.