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One day at work 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 opened every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of 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, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements without feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old 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 boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.