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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included 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 notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “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 go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.