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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.