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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.