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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned 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 since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, 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 pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous 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 realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.