First Things to Stop Buying to Save
One easy and effective way to get extra cash to save money or pay off your debt faster without having to side hustle is by changing your spending habits. As in, stop buying things.
This could save you a few hundred dollars a year to thousands.
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This year we have a few things we stopped buying to save money. However, do NOT make this ONE REALLY BIG MISTAKE when you do.
Like other bills we’ve reduced or paid off, you should be taking that amount and putting it towards another bill or into savings. It’s a mental game.
For example, we paid off our car loan last year which was approximately $300 a month. We then pay an extra $300 a month towards another debt.
The amount you save will obviously vary, but even if you estimate and save $100 a month on things you stop buying to save money you’ll have $1,200 for savings or debt payoff. That’s a good chunk of change.
#1 BOOKS
There are so many FREE resources to get reading material. We aren’t really bookworms, but since I’m trying to increase my investing knowledge for the New Year the library has become my new best friend.
Some libraries are better stocked than others, but they can order books based on request if they have the budget. So if there’s a particular book you want ask, they may be able to get it for you.
Google the book you’re looking for to see if there are any free/cheap versions of what you want.
Try Amazon’s Audible and get 2 free audiobooks for free!
I also use my survey cash if there’s a book I really want to have a physical copy of.
#2 SUBSCRIPTIONS
I had several subscriptions for different magazines. Some I got because I kept getting exclusive offers that are given to everyone 😉 while others I got because they offered free gifts or extra years. Hint: These are just to sucker you in, which I was.
I used to have one that was $10 for the whole year, but once the price went up I dropped them.
I’m not saying you should cancel all your subscriptions, especially if you enjoy them. But, if you’re looking to save some extra cash fast this is a good place to start.
I’ve found that lots of times when I canceled my subscriptions better offers for the same magazine came in the mail a few months later.
My favorite magazine subscriptions that I have kept are Kiplinger and Money. Both helped me with my stock investments choices, which have made me over $1,000 this year. I’d say that’s a good return on investment.
Other subscriptions to look at: radio, computer software, etc.
#3 SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER/
TOILETRIES
Okay before you freak out, no these aren’t things that I won’t ever buy again.
Last year and the beginning of this year I did a boatload of surveys where I was sent warehouse sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner to test for free. Some surveys sent trial sizes too, but trust me there’s a lot. I have enough to last me the rest of this year and then some.
I also got to do a few surveys for deodorant and have multiple brands and scents stored in our bathroom cabinets.
#4 PAPER TOWELS/NAPKINS
This is a little tougher, but I don’t sweat it as much since it’s not as expensive as the other things we stopped buying to save money.
Instead of using paper towels to dry our hands or clean we use towels.
It’s easy to grab the paper towels when they’re there so I (hide them from my husband) try to keep them in the closet.
I just found out they sell reusable paper towels on Amazon and they have really great reviews. After using them you just throw them into the washing machine. They can be reused multiple times and 1 roll replaces 6 months of paper towels.
Napkins aren’t expensive, but when you have kids and a husband who uses an abnormal amount it adds up.
#5 PHONE APPS
The app store is full of fun games to play and apps to make life easier. The good news, there’s usually a free version. There was one I had when pregnant with both my kids that I loved.
My husband has a few games that he’s purchased on his phone, but recently stopped. Not because he knows it’s a waste of money, but also because his account was recently hacked. That’s right hacked!
I noticed an almost $300 charge to our credit card from the app store for games. I nicely mentioned it to the hubby while secretly fuming. Turns out he had bought a game for $9.99, but all of the additional charges were fraud. It then happened again, but with another credit card my husband has on file on his phone. We are currently sorting it out with the app store and our credit cards.
Tip: If you make purchases on your phone or anywhere else online do not store your credit card information. Regularly check your credit card bills each month to make sure you’re charged the right amount. By doing this I caught on to the fact that we were the victims of account hacking.
#6 GYM MEMBERSHIP
Hahahahaha…okay it’s not that funny. We’ve contemplated joining a gym with all of the “good” New Year’s deals, but opted not to.
Once the weather warms up we are going to go for walks in the neighborhood and runs in the park.
Why waste our money on a gym membership we’ll barely use when we can exercise at home at our convenience for free. YouTube has thousands of free workout videos to follow along with that you can check out.
Here are a bunch of free and cheap ways to get into shape.
#7 NEW TOYS
My kids have more toys than they need, but for some reason are happy with paper, crayons, and giant boxes. I’m told they’ll grow out of that eventually so I’m enjoying it now.
I don’t buy my kids new toys because everyone else does. They get toys for birthdays, holidays, and just because.
I recently brought home a huge bag of toys for them that was on a neighbor’s curb marked free. My kids freaked out. They were all in like new condition.
Cut these existing bills so you can save even more money this year:
*How to cut your grocery bill in half
*16 ways to cut your electric bill
*Downsize your cell phone bill
If you plan to stop buying new toys to save money you can try selling the ones your kids no longer play with at one of the places we are using to sell our way out of debt. We believe in paying it forward so most of the time we donate their toys or give them to someone who could use them.
So far for every holiday or birthday I’ve put money into my kids’ savings accounts instead of buying big gifts. I hope to save enough for some college payments in the future.
#8 GARBAGE BAGS
I never realized how expensive garbage bags are. It seems silly to spend money on something that you know needs to be dumped out. However, I’ve had my fair share of garbage bag blowouts to know there is a difference in quality and price.
Through one of our side hustles we came across a lot of boxes of garbage bags. We paid very cheap for the lot and instead of selling them, we are using them for ourselves.
Prior to this I also used plastic grocery bags instead of garbage bags. You obviously can’t fit as much garbage in them, but they did help cut down on the amount of garbage bags we used.
#9 NEW CARS
Rich people don’t buy brand new cars because they know the minute the car drives off the dealership lot it’s value decreases significantly.
I’m not rich, but I know enough to know it’s never worth it to buy a brand new car.
Last month we bought a van for our side hustles and a car to replace the mini van, both in cash. We were able to do this because we had money in savings AND both cars were used with a good amount of mileage on both.
#10 LUNCH AT WORK
There’s always someone at work ordering food for lunch/dinner. $15 here and $20 there adds up very quickly.
We’ve stopped buying lunch out to save money. I try my best to meal prep and brown bag our lunches. This is both cheaper, tastier, and healthier.
Which reminds me. I need a new lunch bag. I want one that is pretty, insulated, durable, and big enough to carry my meals and snacks. I think I’m going to get this coral lunch box using all of the Amazon promo codes I have saved.
We reserve eat-out days for co workers birthdays and special occasions.
#11 LOTTO TICKETS/GAMBLING
I am one of the most unlucky people when it comes to giveaways and gambling. For me it’s like throwing money into the trash.
Studies have found that lottery sales are highest in poor neighborhoods, which speaks volumes. We all dream of the possibility of living a life of luxury.
Not buying lottery tickets won’t make us millionaires, but by taking that money and investing it or buying more things to turn for a profit we’d be guaranteed money rather than depending on luck.
#12 BOTTLED ICED TEA/BEVERAGES
I make my own iced tea or infused waters every day. It’s cheaper and I can control the sweetness level. My kids love it too.
We only buy bottled water to have in the house for road trips and other outings.
Another great idea one of you lovely readers recommended was buying an infuser water bottle. Great way to detox and lose weight. A lot of them come with a free e-book full of recipes and this one has a lifetime warranty. Remember, buy to last.
Combining the costs of all the things we stopped buying to save money adds up to roughly $400 a month. Because we are still paying off our credit card debt, our savings account does not accurately reflect this number. However, it is an eye opening realization how much money we can save just by cutting back on our spending.
Once our debts are paid off we are going to build up our emergency fund, start investing, and tackling our mortgage payments.
Lesson: Do not let the money you save get lost in your bank account only to be wasted somewhere else. Automate that amount to go towards another bill or into savings.
What have you stopped buying to save money?
great tips!!!
Thank you!
Meal planning helps me a lot with saving money! Otherwise we will eat out a lot, or I will buy random groceries that end up getting thrown away. It also helps me lose weight when I better meal plan so I focus most of my efforts on that! And trying to only run additional errands once a week instead of running out every time I think of something I need. Multiple Target trips a week is no good!
We’ve gotten much better, but still have some waste here and there. Planning has definitely helped us cut down too and made our grocery bill much more manageable.
I love, love, love posts like this! Gets me thinking of creative ways we can save money, too. You’re ideas are great! My husband and I are in the middle of a finances class, and this helps me think of ways to put the principles we’re learning into action
Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy some great savings too.
I love this post! Super interesting and you make a lot of great points! I am definitely going to stop buying some of these! Thanks for sharing!
thank you! What’s surprising is I don’t even miss the things on this list. The extra money is for debt payoff, but once that’s done can’t wait to use it for travel.
Very good suggestions. Many, Many years ago I was a faithful reader and follower of The Tightwad Gazette and she got me on the cloth napkin kick, I’ve never looked back! The library is an excellent resource, I get so many books *and* movies from the library. I used to send a bottle of water in my teen daughter’s lunch every day, but this year we had a talk about waste (the expense is totally minimal, but the waste is huge) and now I send her Hydroflask filled with water and a couple of lemon slices each day. It’s been really good.
Thank you. I’m going to have to look that up. Our library has a bunch of movies and video games, but I never think to look at them. Might have to make a trip this week. Love your idea of using a water bottle with lemon slices. I might have to try that. My husband takes a water bottle every day to work and I agree it is very wasteful.
Nice suggestions. Definitely things that we can live without and would save a boatload of money.
My dad is very much the I work hard so I can buy what I want mentality. However, he doesn’t have much money saved for retirement. It’s all about compromise.
I do most of those, but I could never give up my books or gym membership. I do buy all my books for 50 cents at the thrift store though so I save that way.
I do like the feel of a book rather than on a tablet/computer, but electronic versions do save space in our house. I’m not against gym memberships if we used them to the fullest. I used to love getting yelled at in a good boot camp class lol
I never put many of these items into perspective, but when you actually step back and think about the items you mention and the cost involved, it makes perfect sense!
I agree. I thought the same about my magazines. $10 a year is nothing, but adding them all up with a few other things equals the cost of a nice road trip for us.
Great tips. Some are easily implementable, especially the work lunches. I used to spend so much money at chipotle
lol I know what you mean. Their corn salsa and chips and guac 😛
Not buying lunch at work is a huge one for me! Loved your tips!
thank you 🙂
That survey idea for free products sounds great! We do without a lot of the above mentioned products as well, for frugality, simplicity, and minimalism sake! We’re trying to cut the devices too, but that’s proving harder… 😉
My husband and I love the idea of a simple life, it seems to be less stressful too. The devices are hard because of our side hustle and my blogging. Once the weather is nicer TV time will drop and we’ll spend more times outdoors.
The paper towel idea seems cool, and also better for the environment!
Yes, I think we waste so much, but when it’s in front of us it’s easy to go through several rolls.
I only get a haircut a couple times a year.
Me neither and I sometimes I get a Groupon.
We never signed up for cable once we got married. We live in an area that has TONS of stations you can get over antenna. But everyone else has cable. Isn’t it amazing all the little things you do/have and how much they add up?
I forgot how good public television was until we cut the cable completely for almost a year. You’re right, until I sat down and calculated it I didn’t realize just how much these costs really were. I think we are fairly frugal so I could only imagine how much more it is for other people.
Great post. And yes to exercising outside close to trees (50% more effective than going to the gym for your mental health).
Thank you and yes that is a really big plus. Running 5 miles on a treadmill is very different than hiking several miles in the mountains.
These are great tips! I definitely been working to cut eating out and been getting better each month. And the phone apps absolutely!
Thank you, that’s great. Once in awhile I’ll eat out for a special occasion with coworkers, but I don’t miss it because we always eat at the same places anyways.
Great ideas. I agree with the gym membership. It’s one of the biggest money wastes!
Yes! I know a lot of people who have to have them and pay OVER $100 a month. I haven’t even joined at $20 a month. However, one’s health is extremely important and if a gym is going to do that then I would cut on a lot of the other categories.
Like you mentioned, I stopped eating lunch out at work except for special occasions or a rarity. I was spending too much when I started tracking it for a while. My friends and I found that it wasn’t the eating out we loved; it was the time together. We bring our healthier food and eat away from our desks. Win!
That’s such a great idea. We have parties where we each bring something in and they are always a hundred times better than when we order out. We should do that more often.
I’m always amazed what you can save if you just look at what you are spending. So many un-necessary purchases really add up!
Me too! This month we cut our spending just shy of $1,000. That’s easier than any side hustle we’ve ever done.
Yes, we have done all of those things. I became a stay-home, homeschooling Mom 8 years ago and we went to one-salary. So, we have sold stuff and stopped buying things like we stopped buying hand soap (I make it), stopped buying laundry detergent (I make it). Really saves. Also, I stopped buying diapers with my last child and did all cloth diapers. Saved a boatload! Wish I would have done it with the other 4.
This is so inspiring. I have thought about making our own soap and laundry detergent, but didn’t know if it would be time and cost efficient. I think I’ll have to look into it again. Being a stay at home mom has been a dream/nightmare of mine. No easy task, but rewarding.
Yes! Yes! Yes! To ALL of this! I have had so many conversations with people over the years about many of the items on the list. When I help people with their budget, I see tears form in their eyes when I tell them they need to eliminate all the nail and hair appointments and stop eating out.
LOL yes! You are their voice of reason. Most people want to be debt free, but can’t stand to hear the truth. No matter how much you make, being debt-free is achievable. It’s how bad you want it.
These are great ideas. I don’t buy any of these anymore but I know it’s not easy for many to drop these things.
I agree. To a lot of people these are necessities. However, if one really wants to be debt free they need to better distinguish between wants and needs.
great tips! I love the garbage bag idea. My biggest money saver has been on cable. I’m saving $200 a month!
Lol my husband laughs at me because you can’t fit much in the grocery bags, but it really does help.
I stopped buying soil for my garden. I have a small compost pile that produces rich soil that I mix in.
I grow my vegetables instead of buying them.
Avoid any clothes that have to be dry cleaned.
Cut back on trips to the nail salon with no manicures (diy) and I do splurge on pedicures but only about once a month.
I cut way back on the use of plastic.
-Everyone has a hydro flask, which eliminates water bottles except for the disaster preparedness stash. I also cut back on soda and do the lemon water.
-I try to avoid regular use of plastic trash bags and just use the moderate sized kitchen trash can and recycle bin. I take it directly to the garbage bin in the garage a few times a week and rinse it out as needed.
-I use the glass storage containers with snap on lid for left overs and to pack my lunch every day. Same lunch box, no ziplock bags, no BPA, fewer preservatives, lower calories, and portion controlled.
Skip the household cleaners and use the basics-elbow grease with soap and hot water, vinegar, baking soda, bleach as needed to seriously disinfect things.(separately)
Microfiber cloths instead of paper towels.
Wow! This are all really great tips. I’m going to start implementing a bunch of them. Hoping our garden fairs well this summer and that we can freeze a lot this year.
So true about buying books. My daughter always wants money for the book fair, she reads to book once and it’s lost in the abyss. Library here we come!
I know! And they have one like every single month too. She only wants the ones with the stickers so I just get them from the dollar store lol
These are good tips, lunch at work and stopping and buying drink are my weakness, I def. need to work on those!
On the days you don’t eat out or get drinks take that money and put it into a jar. After a month take that saved money and pay off a bill or do something fun.
Great tips! Fun fact: I get ALL of my magazine subscriptions from Recyclebank.com . You earn points from either recycling or taking short quizzes about recycling! I have about 5-6 subscriptions now that I LOVE!
Never heard of them. Going to check them out now since I cancelled almost all of my magazine subscriptions.
You never realize how much you’re spending until someone actually points it out. These tips are really doable as well
I couldn’t agree more. Writing out an expense sheet is such a reality check.
Great tips!! We have stopped buying things new and always always take our time to find a good quality alternative at a discounted price.
Yes! Never underestimate the power of research.
We’re already doing some of these, but this post has given me more things to think about! Thank you for sharing your experience!
That’s great! You’re so welcome.
Love the suggestions!
Sanitary towels!!! Got a moon cup a few years back and never looked back. Priceless.
and Meat. Going plant based cut the shopping bill in half 🙂
I have always wondered about those, but have heard mixed reviews on different brands. Will check it out. And plant based diets are so much healthier!
There are some great ideas here! I need to go back and look at your survey links to try to get some toiletry samples! It would be really nice to cut some of that money out of our budget!
Yes I have a bunch of giant sized shampoo bottles I still haven’t used up. It’s also fun trying the more expensive brands I wouldn’t buy for myself.
Great ideas! So simple! We waste money every month and I know I need to get it under control. Just need a little planning! Thanks for all the great ideas!
You’re welcome. Start small and it just gets easier.
These are really great tips. We’ve been using a lot of paper towels this past month (potty training is fun lol!!), but finding reusable ones may be a great idea. Thanks!
Good luck! We just went through that with our son lol