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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I launched every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy 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 buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to buy a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

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

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – 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 realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.