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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.