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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.