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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned 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 notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

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

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.