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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single retail application on my device. 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 bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of 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, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Perhaps 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 home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 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 – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, 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, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.