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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. 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 stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.