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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary 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 opened every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought 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 a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.