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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips 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, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily 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 finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.