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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous 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 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 due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.