24 Things I Quit Buying to Save Money
24 Things I Quit Buying to Save Money
It can be tough to stick to a budget, especially when there are so many temptations around us.
You might feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of buying things you don’t need and can’t afford.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to save money without making big changes or sacrifices. In this blog post, we’ll share 24 tips for how you can quit buying things and start saving money today.
24 Things I Quit Buying to Save Money
1. Stop buying online without using a cashback service
If you’re a regular online shopper, chances are you’ve subscribed to an online shopping portal such as Ebates or FatWallet. In most cases, these portals offer a certain percentage of cashback for every purchase made through their site.
By using one of these cashback portals when making an online purchase, you can effectively save 10-25% on most items. If you buy online frequently, this can add up to a lot of money over time!
2. Bottled water
Bottled water can cost up to 1,000 times more than tap water.
This is because it has been filtered and packaged. You can save a considerable amount of money each month by investing in a water filter, like the Brita Water Purifier, and by drinking filtered tap water instead.
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3. Going to the grocery store every day
When you only go to the grocery store every few days, you tend to buy more fresh ingredients and fewer processed foods.
These items tend to be more expensive, which can ultimately save you money.
4. Gym membership
Unless you’re a serious athlete, you probably don’t need a gym membership.
If your job requires physical activity and you’re going to the gym to burn off steam, you might consider buying a treadmill or stationary bike.
If you just want to work out at home, Noomii has some great fitness videos you can stream for free.
5. Dryer sheets
Dryer sheets are an unnecessary expense that you can easily avoid.
By simply adding a few drops of essential oil to your laundry load instead, you can eliminate the need for dryer sheets.
6. Bottled salad dressing
Bottled salad dressings can cost up to $10 per bottle while making your own costs around $1.50.
Most bottled salad dressings contain fillers and preservatives, which are not necessary, harmful to your health, and unnecessary cost.
7. Cleaning products
When you buy cleaning products, you’re often paying for water and harsh chemicals.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to clean almost anything without going out and buying a new product. For example, baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice work very well to clean all kinds of surfaces.
7. Unnecessary subscription services
It’s a shame how many people pay for services they don’t use.
If you’re paying for a service that you aren’t using, you can save money by canceling it.
8. Occasion clothes
Don’t spend money on clothing that you’re only going to wear once.
For the wedding, graduation, or another special occasion, borrow something from a friend or family member instead.
9. New shoes
New shoes tend to be uncomfortable and can cause foot problems.
By wearing older sneakers instead, you can avoid uncomfortable new shoes and save a lot of money.
10. Expensive cell phone plans
Cell phone plans can be expensive, especially when you factor in monthly overage charges.
If you’re on the fence about your current cell phone plan, it might be time to research other options.
11. Bank fees
I’m sure you’ve heard about the outrageous bank fees that people have to pay just for checking their accounts.
Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to find a bank that doesn’t charge for this service.
To avoid getting charged, you can use ATMs instead of the teller.
12. Cable TV
Cable TV might seem like a necessity, but it actually isn’t always necessary.
If you’re paying for cable TV, research streaming options like Netflix and Hulu.
Many of these services can be paid by the month, rather than per cable box.
13. Items that create clutter
Many people buy items that end up cluttering their house.
This can cost a lot of money because you have to pay for a service to clean out your house, donate the items or toss them.
Before you buy something that can create clutter, think about whether someone else would actually want it.
14. Starbucks coffee
Starbucks is a popular place to go for a cup of coffee, but the price tags are outrageous.
If you’re a big Starbucks fan, consider switching to Dunkin’ Donuts, which offers many of the same drinks for half the price.
14. Hard copy books
Most bookstores and libraries offer a wide assortment of e-readers and lending services.
By using e-readers, you can get access to books at no cost.
5. Take away coffee cups
Take-away coffee cups are often the result of impulse spending.
If you’re on your way to work, stop somewhere on your way and get a cup from there.
17. Prepackaged food
Prepackaged food can be costly, especially if you’re planning on portioning it yourself.
If you want to save money, buy fresh fruit and vegetables in bulk, then portion them yourself at home.
18. Items just because they are on sale
Many people buy items just because they are on sale.
You could end up buying a lot of things that you don’t need or even want.
19. Impulse purchases from stores
You don’t want to spend too much at the grocery store or clothing shop.
If you can avoid buying things that you didn’t intend to purchase, you can save a lot of money.
20. Tech upgrades
Instead of always buying the latest smartphone or laptop, wait for it to become outdated.
By doing this, you can save a lot of money.
21. Full price movie tickets
You can save a lot of money by using discount stores, apps, or websites to purchase your movie tickets.
For example, you could use a service like Redbox, which is cheap and easy to use.
22. Fast food delivery
It can be tempting to order in when you’re feeling lazy, but it’s actually cheaper and easier to make your own dinner.
If you’re craving fast food, try to resist the temptation and eat at home instead.
23. Carwashes
Carwashes can be expensive and it’s easier to hand wash your car at home.
This way, you can save the money that you would have spent on a carwash.
24. Name brand items
Name brand items can be more expensive than generic brands, which means you’re actually paying for the name.
Instead of always purchasing these items, consider buying generic brands instead, so you can save more money.
Final thoughts
The 24 items you can quit buying to save money are a great way to help you budget and avoid overspending. If this article has given you some inspiration, why not share it with your friends? Hopefully, they’ll find these tips helpful too!
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