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One afternoon at my job 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 student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll 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 certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board 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, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.