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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

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

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

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 shame or embarrassment.

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

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.