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One day at work two years ago, 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 payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

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

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. 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 straightforward.