10 Things I Stopped Buying To Save Money and Space

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In this blog post, I will share with you 10 things I stopped buying!

In no way do I consider myself a minimalist, but I am trying to purchase less. My goal is to reduce the amount of “stuff” I purchase not only reduce my waste, but also to save money! Having less stuff also means I have less clutter in my home. It’s a work in progress, but I’ve been able to cut out a few things that have made big difference. So, let me share with you 10 things I stopped buying.

Keep reading to learn the 10 things I stopped buying!

10 Things I Stopped Buying

1. Books

stack of books — Instead of buying books that I only read once, I borrow from my local library

When I was younger, I used to have quite the book collection. When there was a book I wanted to read, I bought it. After I read it, it would sit on my bookshelf collecting dust. I decided it didn’t make sense to buy books anymore. Don’t get me wrong… I still love reading! I have just transitioned from purchasing books to getting books from the library.

2. Manicures and Pedicures

nail polish bottles — I paint my nails at home rather than getting a manicure/pedicure

The cost of one manicure isn’t crazy, but it really adds up. Let’s say your manicure costs $50 (including tax and tip). If you get your nails done every 2 weeks, that adds up to $1300 a year…just to have nice nails!!

I still like having my nails done, but now I do mine at home. A bottle of nail polish is less than $10, and will last you literally years. If you want to take your at-home manicure to the next level you can get a nail kit with a cuticle trimmer. Your nails will still look great and you will save soooo much money in the long run!

3. Travel Size Products

travel size shampoo and conditioner — Re-fill and re-use travel sized items rather than buying new ones

The cost of travel-sized items are crazy! It’s so much cheaper (and will save so much waste) if have reusable containers that you re-fill from larger bottles. I have some mini bottles that I have collected over the years that I re-use, so I no longer spend $3 on a mini-sized shampoo every time I travel! If you don’t have any travel-sized bottles already that you can re-use, try these and refill them with your products.

4. Cable TV

laptop with Netflix on lap — Cut the cord with cable!

Cutting out cable was a no-brainer for me. I don’t watch much TV to begin with, so getting rid of my cable subscription made so much sense. I use Netflix when I do want to wind down and watch some TV!

5. “Trendy” Fashion Items

light pink ruffled dress — Classic pieces will stay in your closet much longer than trendy pieces

I stopped buying clothing that is “trendy”, because by nature of being a “trend” they are likely to go out of style. In my opinion, there’s no sense in buying a shirt that will only be in style for one season. I gravitate towards more classic pieces that I can wear for years.

6. Store Bought Cards

homemade floral thank you card — Homemade cards are inexpensive to make, and so meaningful!

This one may sound silly, but cards can cost $4-5 at the store, so buying cards for every occasion (birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc) can really add up. I stopped buying cards, I much prefer to make my own instead. It’s more personal, and as a bonus will save you lots of money!

READ: How to make a homemade birthday card in 4 easy steps

7. Duplicates

multiple bottles of leave in conditioner — Avoid buying multiples of an item

I know “duplicates” is a pretty broad category, but let me give you an example. If I already have a face sunscreen, I don’t buy another. I completely use up the one I have before buying a new one. This prevents me from having bottles upon bottles of various products! I also talked avoiding multiples in my post about how to keep your home tidy.

8. Souvenirs

homemade scrapbook for camping trip — Photos and scrapbooks are a great alternative souvenirs

If you are the kind of person who likes to buy a little souvenir from every trip you go on…. I hear you! I used to do that too. Recently, I’ve found that trinkets just cause clutter and I don’t like the look of them being displayed in my house. Instead, I love printing photos, making scrapbooks, or putting together videos of my travel to keep as memories.

9. Coffee “To go”

coffee-cup-in-hand — I avoid getting coffee out unless it’s part of an “experience”

I know getting coffee out is a sacred treat for many. For me, I love buying a coffee if it’s part of an “experience” – for example, my boyfriend and I sometimes go out to a date to a coffee shop and spend an hour or two there. But, I’ve stopped buying coffee to go. There’s no need for me to get a $4 Starbucks latte to bring to work or take on errands. I can easily make one at home and save on the cost, not to mention save the wasted cup as well.

10. Unplanned Purchases

list of crap to do and crap to buy — Write out lists before you go shopping to avoid unplanned purchases

This is another broad category, but an important one! I used to be the kind of person who would go to the store to pick up one thing and come back with 4. What I realized was I never really loved the “unplanned” purchases I made, whether it was clothing or home decor. My tip to avoid unplanned purchases is to shop with a list. If you see something you like (that’s not on your list), think about it for a few days. Chances are, you won’t still want it after you’ve had time to think about it.

Those are the 10 things I stopped buying! If you have any others to add, please comment them below. I’d love to hear what’s on your list!

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10 Things I Stopped Buying To Save Money and Space