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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

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

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.