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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying things 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 understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.