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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally look at my bank statements without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.