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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.