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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

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

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began 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 found items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my bank statements without feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.