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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. 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. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements without experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.