Are you wasting your money? 15 Things to stop buying that will save you money!
Today I wanted to share with you a list of 15 things that you should stop buying if you want to save money this month! I am guilty of spending my money on things I don’t need. I am not saying that it’s not okay to treat yourself once in a while, BUT I promise you will save money if you stop buying these things!
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used and my full disclosure policy can be found here.
1. Starbucks/Dunkins/Coffee
I am guilty of going to a local coffee shop to get my iced coffee everyday rather than making my own at home. If I brewed my own coffee I’d save roughly, $140 a month!
2. Cable
The great thing about technology these days is that you could have a Hulu subscription and save money. Right now for cable I pay $90 a month. Investing in an Amazon Firestick and Hulu subscription could save money in the long run. I pay $12 monthly for Hulu. If I remove my cable bill I could save $78 a month!
3. Paper plates & plastic silverware
Here’s the thing, I don’t have a dishwasher therefore, I HATE doing dishes. Since I am lazy, I usually buy paper/plastic dish ware but, I realize this is killing trees, bad for the environment, and wasting money.
4. Manicures & Pedicures
Everyone loves a good mani/pedi but getting them every 2 weeks or so can add up! Instead, give yourself an at home spa treatment & paint your own nails! OR have a friend do them for you! It could save a ton of money in the long run.
5. Hard Copy Reads
If you are a book lover like me, consider purchasing digital copies rather than hard copies. Less expensive and you still get to read all the goodness!
6. New Clothes
I can’t even remember the last time I bought new clothes. It’s been a while, but I am still dressed everyday! It’s easy to overindulge in shopping (especially when it comes to clothes) but dang, those new clothes add up! If it’s not a necessity at the moment, then reconsider the purchase.
7. New Shoes
Again, if it’s not a necessity at the time, then hold off. I would love to have a pair of shoes for every outfit, but I would love to have a savings account more!
8. Gym memberships
At home workouts can save you money!
9. Unused Memberships
Do you have any memberships that you don’t use often? Maybe consider cancelling those memberships you’ve been meaning to cancel!
10. Movie Tickets
It’s a great luxury to go out and see a movie BUT, movie tickets are also not cheap these days. Save yourself some money and wait for the movie to come to Redbox!
11. Scratch Tickets
I’m guilty of spending my money on scratch tickets in hopes of winning big! But in reality I am just wasting my money when I could be saving it!
12. Going out to eat
I’ll be the first to admit that cooking isn’t one of my specialties! Goes hand in hand with dishes! I used to go out to eat all the time but it quickly adds up! Making crock pot meals and having leftovers can save money weekly.
13. The Most Expensive Brand
Sometimes you are paying for the brand name, but let me tell you, I have saved money by buying the cheaper product (not brand name) and works just as well as the more expensive product. (Secretly enjoy some of Target’s brand items opposed to other more expensive brands!)
14. Bottled Water
It adds up & again isn’t great for the environment. Get yourself a Brita and save yourself some money in the long run!
15. Home Decor Trinkets
Yes, those trinkets that are collecting dust on your shelves. Cut back on buying those trinkets!
I hope you found this helpful! Let me know in the comments what you stopped buying in order to save money!
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Such a great list! 😊 My husband and I are saving up for some trips, and two of the things on this list that I’ve personally given up are mani/pedis and my gym membership. Instead, I got a really affordable stationary bike off Amazon to use at home and I’ve been way more consistent with that than I ever was with the gym!
Thank you so much! & I love that! Amazon seriously has everything you need!!!
Great post! I have been looking at shifting budget stuff around so this comes at the right time. It’s a good feeling to have savings built up! I definitely need to stop eating out. It’s one of my favorite things to do!
So glad you enjoyed the list! Eating out definitely takes up lots of money that could be saved!
This is a great list! Especially the brand name products! I save huge amounts of money on make up by going for drug store!! Seriously-drug store make up can be so much better than high end!
Right?!?! Thank you so much (:
I agree with all of these especially from a green perspective too!
Thank you!!! (:
At home workouts are such a great alternative to a gym membership, love that tip 🙂
Thank you so much Ivana!!
How true this is, Ell!! I consider myself pretty darn thrifty and practice most of these things! I still wear clothes from high school 10 years ago! But that doesn’t mean I don’t treat myself now and again. 😉
Great post!!
I am the same way! Thank you so much!!
If you buy things you don’t require then you will be selling things you require. – Warren Buffet
Great post. I definitely agree. For me not buying bottled water I think has saved me a lot. Those reusable water bottles come in handy!
Right?! It’s a game changer! Thank you so much!
I recently went through all my books and donated 700+ books. I only buy sneakers, although I could use a new pair a ballet flats. I have a kobo so now I tend to browse the free ebooks. We dont have cable, instead we have Netflix. I recently bought 8 new shirts they were buy one get one for $10. Just simple tshirts.
I love that so much! It’s so great donating items you no longer use! I also LIVE for Netflix!
I’ve shared this story several times on Pinterest but here goes again. The salon where I got my hair cut in Denver was in a strip mall with a Starbucks. My stylist, someone who shares my frugal mentality, told me that her clientele included several Starbucks employees. According to them, they served customers who worked in other stores in that strip mall and who normally showed up several times a day. My stylist and I did some rough math and figured out that these folks (working in not terribly upscale retail establishments, probably making close to minimum wage) were annually spending on coffee the equivalent of an average monthly mortgage payment. What kind of madness is THAT?
Wow! That is insane! Super eye opening! Thank you for sharing!!
Great list, but instead of buying books, use the public library. I buy books in digital format when it’s a book I want to refer to, time and time again. When I’m reading for pleasure, I go to my public library and borrow the materials I want. Aside from books, libraries have dvd of movies, tv series, audiobooks and many informational classes and lectures.
Love that tip! Thank you!
Borrowing books, CDs and DVDs is great but I enjoy rereading books and listening to CDs and DVDs again and again. Some books are read every year or two
So I buy. If I like it, I keep. If not give it to someone who might enjoy it or donate to local library.
Great idea!
I wish I’d learned this lesson… you build up your “stuff” in your 30’s. When you pass 50 you are trying to get rid of your “stuff” taking a real loss. Put the money in a SAVINGS ACCOUNT. You will never regret that when you’re 70.
very true!
I stopped buying magazines. Instead I downloaded an app where i can get them free from my public library.
Love that!
Good list!
I have to buy bottled water due to the poor quality of water available here.
I buy only paper disposable plates and bowls. I’m disabled and I only have help with my house keeping 3 days per week.
Understandable!