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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one 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 new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.