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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet 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 didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.