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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I launched every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. 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 bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.