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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit 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 payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.