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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 phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, 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 doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.