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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.