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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 come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.