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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play board 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 most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.