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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely 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 couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.