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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, 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 had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights 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 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 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board 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 trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing 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 unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.