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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every retail application 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 unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. 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 culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. 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. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.