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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. 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 since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.