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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go 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 novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.