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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 fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did 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, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also signifies I am more selective about the things 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 early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.