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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, 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 doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.