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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, 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 usual when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.