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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.