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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every single retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.