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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.