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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £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 purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.