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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of 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, exhausted 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 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before 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 time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started 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 found products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement 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 financial records without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed 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 purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.