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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.