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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every single 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, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor 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 thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.