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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added 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 since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, 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 technique was that it provided me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.