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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my phone. 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 few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.