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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £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 outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious 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 decided to try a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.