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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended 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 completely 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 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 try something new. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.