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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to 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 subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.