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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, decorative items and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added 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, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.