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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added 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 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 unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.