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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, 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 impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can at last look at my financial records without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.