I like to revisit this topic once in awhile for new readers (and us oldies, too). Down below is a list of things many people buy that I don't as a more frugal spender. Now, of course, the list is not all inclusive as it is hard to remember things I don't buy since I don't think about them at all. I was inspired to write this post after watching a lot of decluttering videos on YouTube. It was interesting to see what people had purchased that they were decluttering. Many items were things I don't even own, or now no longer own as I don't buy them.
Scented candles
I noticed that a lot of people buy these in multiples and then never use them fully. If I buy a candle I use it all up before I would buy another.
Nail Polish
I own two bottles of nail polish. Both are almost gone, but I've been using these on my toes in the summer for quite a few years.
Make-up
I have basic foundation, one lipstick, one palette of eye shadow, one eye liner, and powder. That is it! Very simple when I use makeup which is probably less than ten times a year. I read about what is in makeup and decided I didn't like putting it on my face everyday!
Magazines
I have had a few subscriptions in the past, but over time realized I wasn't getting any satisfaction reading them. Saves me time and money.
Books
I use the library!
Jewelry
I'm simple. I own one pair of earnings, a pearl necklace, and probably four rings, although I only wear my wedding ring daily.
Newspapers
Got of of the subscription habit of newspapers when we moved the last time.
Scented Lotions
Same reason I don't wear makeup, too many chemicals. I'm lucky that I don't have very dry skin. I do have some chemical free lotions, but I take forever to use them!
Valentine/St Patrick's Day/Easter/July 4th/Thanksgiving decor
I've come to see these items put out in stores as just a way to part me from our hard earned money. I only decorate for Christmas and rarely buy new items.
Appliances and kitchen tools for only one purpose
My waffle maker, coffee maker, toaster are exceptions. However, have you noticed all the new gadgets for kitchens that come out when a simple tool, like a knife, could do the same thing!
Multiples of anything (such as excess sheets, blankets, towels, scissors, pens) particularly those that don't get used up quickly.
We have one set of sheets per bed. We have two towels per person, plus a set for guests. We buy what we need, nothing more.
Stickers
This was one I saw many people decluttering. This is one that people probably accumulate because they are inexpensive or cute, but then they don't use them up!
Containers
I avoid buying baskets and bins. I have some obviously, but I'm not of the mindset that I have to go buy a container to be organized. I've let go of so much in the last few years, that I have bins I could probably let go of!
Phone cases and Purses
Why buy more than one, when one will do? I have a simple black purse that goes with everything. And if it doesn't? Who cares!
The newest electronics
I still have an iPod Nano from 2006!
Collectibles and knick knacks
I don't collect anything. I don't get the satisfaction at all from this kind of accumulation. And it costs so much money. And I dislike dusting around these kinds of things!!
Clothes
I do buy them, but very rarely. I purchased one new shirt during the fall/winter time period. I wear things until they are clearly out of style or have worn out. I only buy what I need. I own two pairs of jeans for example.
Pajamas
I simple wear a T shirt and workout type pants to bed. I don't need specific clothes for sleeping in.
Lingerie
I stick to the basics with bra and underwear. And I only own three bras.
Movies
These are expensive too and add up! We love movies, so we do watch some of them over again. However, we only buy two to three per year...not every new release.
Alcohol when I eat out
I'm usually the driver as my husband does get alcohol at restaurants. I can't stand the expense!
Disposable products
I avoid paper plates, cups, silverware, wipes, dryer sheets, napkins, Keurig cups. We use paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, Swiffer cloths (have used flannel well in the past), coffee filters. I reuse plastic bags (unless they had a meat product in them) and my daughter has reusable sandwich bags for her lunch.
Gift bags
We been given more gifts in bags and have accumulated plenty to use for the future. I've also been know to wrap a gift in simple color tissue paper, as it is not too costly.
Greeting cards
I do send some, but I send fewer and fewer every year. The cost adds up as does the cost of stamps. I also then spend less time shopping and running out for a card.
Stamps to pay a bill
I now use Bill Pay with my bank to send checks, including our rent check. Most other bills are paid directly with the provider, usually by credit card.
Subscription boxes
I can't even think of the name of some of these subscriptions, but they are like Fruit of the Month club for makeup and organic products.
Traditional Phone Line
We use Ooma to save money. We may opt out entirely at some point in the near future.
Excessive Data Plans
I know compared to some of you we spend more on our cell phones as we use Verizon. The four of us share 3GB of data. My neighbor mentioned that three of them in her family share 10GB of data! I wonder if they have tried to conserve at all?
Excessive Cable Channels
We only have basic to have any signal at all. I did like when we had an over the air antenna at our last house. The cost was just the initial investment. I wonder if we need it at all. We rarely watch any tv.
High end brand name clothing
Do people not realize they are paying for the brand name? I know some brands are worth the investment as the quality is good, but most are just fashion statements...declaring to the world that you overpaid for your clothes!
Gym membership
We have a treadmill and a few basic weights and bands. In the past we did have a membership and did use the gym!
Extended warranties
We nearly always turn these down. They simply add to the cost of what you are buying. It would be better to save the money and set aside if the item ever needs repair. So many things don't break! We did have a warranty on one computer and the screen broke, that warranty did pay for that. Years later something similar happened with a broken screen and I bought a new screen and installed it myself for under $50.
Trendy shoes
I may have already mentioned I don't follow many fashion trends. I try to stick with basic or classic looks. I also don't have a need for lots of shoes.
Cookbooks (remember no books!)
I only own one cookbook. I find all other recipes online for free.
Vacation souvenirs
I limit these. I find pictures of family on vacation are the best souvenir.
New school supplies every year
We reuse markers, backpacks, rulers, pens, calculators, lunch boxes. We restock the items that get used up or worn out like binders and paper.
Coffee Mugs
I have a set of eight and I don't see a need for ones that have other graphics or new designs. Just let go of two snowman ones that my daughters used to drink hot chocolate out of.
Stationary
I think thank you notes are nice to send. And I'm not against writing real letters. But the truth is, I tend to email or call someone. I was seeing hoards of journals, notepads, sticky notes that some of these people were getting rid of. We still have more than we need in our home that the girls accumulated when they were younger.
Organizers
I only buy an organizer if it solves a very specific problem that cannot be solved in another way. In fact, at the moment I can't think of any specific organizers that would qualify that reside in my home. I mainly have bins, large and small. Some baskets. But my first instinct is not to buy new containers.
Bleach and other toxic cleaners
Air fresheners (plug ins and sprays)
Most of these items are just too strong to use in our home. And they are not safe to breath in.
Specialty trays and serving platters
Holiday kitchen linens
My basic placements work year round in our home. I don't buy aprons for each season, napkins for each holiday or even serving pieces when our basic china will do.
I suppose I really could go on and on with what I don't buy. I just thought of craft items. I do sew, but I only buy fabric for specific projects and if I have leftover, I use it for other smaller projects.
What things do you avoid buying? Think of all the money we save and time acquiring those things. I'm overwhelmed thinking about if I had to start buying the things I listed!
What I Don't Buy
February 10th, 2017 at 04:07 pm
February 10th, 2017 at 05:09 pm 1486746568
I do buy some new clothes about twice a year, but the capsule concept helps me get rid of things that haven't been working for me. (I tend to bring colors back repeatedly, so I'm thinking over time I'll buy fewer items each time I introduce a new collection.) And when I do buy clothes, it's either from the thrift store or the discount outlet. I don't like to buy clothes new because I don't want to directly support sweatshop/slave labor.
February 10th, 2017 at 05:12 pm 1486746748
February 10th, 2017 at 05:15 pm 1486746957
February 10th, 2017 at 05:22 pm 1486747368
Another thing that we'll only have to buy once a year or so moving forward is haircuts. DH used to get his hair cut monthly for drill, but after a bad haircut, he agreed to let me take over his haircuts. Just this week, he decided he would just shave it bald and maintain it every Sunday...even easier and it saves $15/mo! I still need to get my haircut, but I usually only do it once a year anyway to a chin-to-shoulder length cut.
February 10th, 2017 at 05:28 pm 1486747725
My list is very similar to yours.
February 10th, 2017 at 05:52 pm 1486749162
February 10th, 2017 at 07:27 pm 1486754840
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February 10th, 2017 at 10:03 pm 1486764223
That I learned from a friend who bought 9 pairs of the same sneakers DH's best friend and because when he found them at an outlet he couldn't bear to not have them. And ever since it's been a problem like he said. My DH buys jeans on Ebay because he wants the exact same pair and we buy about 5 and are considering buying more because he likes the exact fit and feel. Insane.
February 11th, 2017 at 08:19 am 1486801165
February 15th, 2017 at 01:29 pm 1487165346
I don't buy candles at all since they are only introducing soot and unhealthy smoke into your living space. Scented candles add chemicals to the mix.
I have some nail polish but won't buy anymore. I only use it on my toes.
I do have a few magazine subscriptions becus they were so dirt cheap, but I would like to stop them when they expire.
I do like to buy books and certain kinds of jewelry which I acknowledge i DON"T need.
I am guilty of having many towels and many sheets, partly because I inherited my mother's and I hate to get rid of things I know I can use, but they certainly take up a lot of space in my overflowing closets. Certain things I just can't get rid of.
You must have a very tidy home. I'm jealous.
February 15th, 2017 at 01:42 pm 1487166145
February 15th, 2017 at 10:30 pm 1487197858
I'm in agreement with a lot on the list. But of course there are some differences.
Things you don't buy that I do: Books, Newspapers, Movies, and the Gym.
Books--like MEC, "tools of the trade." I buy almost always in electronic format these days so that they don't add to clutter; I highlight and write all over my books so the library is not an option (I read nonfiction almost exclusively; the library is fine for fiction)).
Newspapers & some magazines are something that I wasn't buying, but now in these days where our very first amendment rights seem like they are being threatened by the current administration, I have added subscriptions to provide support to these institutions. I subscribe to the NY Times and the local paper and get a free Washington Post subscription from Amazon Prime. I unsubscribed from the Wall Street Journal for political reasons. And I added subscriptions to the New Yorker and the Atlantic Monthly (as well as supporting two NPR radio stations)
Movies: As a single person, eating out and going to the movies are two of my major social activities, so I do indulge here. I support the local indendependent cinema with a donation and get a discount in return, and those amounts pretty much cancel each other out.
The gym: Exercise just doesn't happen without the external support.
Things I don't buy that you apparently do:
A regular cell phone with a data plan. I use a TracFone where I buy access by the year and minute; I buy this in bulk and use it so little that it ends up costing under $10 a month to satisfy my minimal needs.
Cable TV: Haven't even owned a TV in a decade now. My Amazon Prime subscription supplies enough video to satisfy my entertainment needs.
Candles at all: As an asthmatic, I'm with PS. No additional dust needs to enter my lungs.
Plus, not having children, of course I buy no school supplies or anything child oriented.
February 19th, 2017 at 07:42 am 1487490170
February 26th, 2017 at 06:08 pm 1488132536
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