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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps 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 desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.