15 Things To Stop Buying To Save Money (Without Sacrificing a Thing)

Last Updated September 26, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Managing your finances doesn’t have to mean cutting out all the fun from your life. But there are definitely some things to stop buying to save money.

Sometimes, it’s the small changes to your daily habits that can lead to big savings over time. 

I realised that I was spending money on things that didn’t bring me lasting happiness or value, so I made a few adjustments. By cutting out unnecessary purchases, I not only saved more but realised how little I actually needed to live a fulfilling life.    

If you’re looking for practical ways to improve your finances, keep reading. In this post, I’ll share the top things to stop buying to save money and live more meaningfully.

Not only did these changes help me save, but they also brought more purpose and simplicity into my life.

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15 Things To Stop Buying To Save Money:

1. Trendy Fashion Items

Shopping used to be my guilty pleasure. I used to shop regularly picking up whatever was trendy at the time. Stores like Misguided, Boohoo and Shein were my go-tos. It felt good in the moment – I mean, who doesn’t love new clothes? 

But I realised that trendy fashion items didn’t last long in my wardrobe. They either fell apart after a few washes, went out of style quickly or didn’t mix well with other clothes I owned. 

Now, I prioritise quality over quantity when it comes to clothing. I focus on buying high-quality staple pieces that never go out of style. Think classic white tees, a great pair of jeans, a black dress, a blazer and a leather jacket. 

These items last for years, can be mixed and matched with everything, and make getting dressed in the morning so much easier.

This shift not only reduces waste but also saves money in the long run because I’m not constantly replacing worn-out clothes. Plus, I no longer have the stress of keeping up with every new trend. 

Instead of chasing trends, invest in versatile, high-quality wardrobe staples that fit well and last. Fast fashion might be cheap, but it’s rarely worth the cost in terms of durability or long-term value. 

2. Ordering Takeaways Too Often

We’ve all been there. It’s been a long day at work, you’re exhausted and ordering a takeaway seems like the easiest option. But I was ordering takeaways way more often than I realised and the costs quickly added up. 

One month after reviewing my budget and seeing that I’d spent $120 on ordering takeaways, I knew it was time to make a change.

Now, I’ve made cooking at home a priority. Not only is this healthier, but it’s also much cheaper and surprisingly more enjoyable. 

Planning my meals and doing a weekly grocery shop has been a game-changer for me. Even on busy days, I can still whip up easy, nutritious meals, and I’ve even recreated some of my restaurant favourites at a fraction of the cost.  

You don’t have to be a master chef to start cooking at home. Just carve out a little time to buy some groceries and put together simple, easy meals. Trust me, once you see how much money you’re saving, you’ll be more than happy you made the switch. 

If the idea of meal planning seems overwhelming, I highly recommend the $5 meal plan service. It makes life so much easier by providing you with a weekly meal plan that takes the guesswork out of cooking.

For just $5 a month, you get delicious meal ideas that cost less than $2 per meal. By cutting back on takeaways and using this service you can easily save at least $200 a month per person. 

You can try it out here FREE for 14 days. Test it out and see if it’s right for you. 

3. Brand New Cars

A brand-new car loses significant value as soon as you drive it off the lot. On average, a car depreciates by 10% the moment it’s driven, and after three years, it will have lost up to 60% of its value. 

For me, a shiny new car isn’t worth the financial hit. So, instead, I choose to buy used cars that provide the same utility at a fraction of the price. The money saved can be invested into income-generating assets – assets that could pay for that dream car without the financial strain. 

I know it’s tempting, but delay buying a new car and consider purchasing a used one. The money you save can be put toward more meaningful investments. 

4. Cable TV

I used to have a full cable package, but the thing is, I wasn’t watching half the channels. 

I was paying for them, but they were just sitting there unused. So, I decided it was time to cut the cord. 

With so many affordable streaming options available now, I made the switch to an Amazon Fire Stick. Now, I only pay for the streaming services I actually use – and there are so many great free options too.

My cable bill wasn’t super high, but cutting out that $60 a month ended up saving me $720 a year. And honestly, I don’t miss it at all. I get to watch all my favourite shows and movies, just without the bill. 

But aside from the money, it also gave me back something even more valuable – time. Instead of spending hours on the sofa binge-watching TV shows, I focused on hobbies I had been putting off for years.

I’d always wanted to learn how to draw, so I bought a book on 3D drawing and finally made it happen. Now, I can actually draw and I can’t stop talking about it! Lol 

I encourage you to do the same. When you find more meaningful ways to spend your free time, you’ll not only save money but also realise you don’t miss cable at all. 

5. Gym Membership

Like many people, I signed up for a gym membership with the best intentions of getting fit. But after a while, I found myself going less and less. Yet, I was still paying for it every single month! 

Now, I work out from home. There are so many free classes on YouTube, whether you’re into yoga, pilates, HIIT or strength training. 

I’ve even invested in a few pieces of basic equipment like dumbbells and a yoga mat. The one-time cost is a lot cheaper than a yearly gym membership.

The best part is I can work out whenever it suits me, without the commute or waiting around for machines. 

If you’re not fully utilising your gym membership, save yourself some money and start exercising from home. 

You can set up a designated workout space even if it’s just a corner of a room. Having a dedicated area can really motivate you to stick with your workouts. Since making the switch I’ve been more consistent with my workouts than ever before. 

6. Tech Upgrades

It’s easy to be tempted by the latest gadgets or feel the need to upgrade every time a new device comes out. But more often than not, those incremental improvements don’t justify the cost. 

After upgrading my phone a few times, I realised that the newer models weren’t that different from what I already had. So, I now only upgrade when my current device is truly outdated or no longer working properly.  I’ve had the same phone for 5 years now and it works perfectly fine. 

This simple change saved me hundreds of dollars and I no longer feel the pressure to keep up with every new release. Plus, tech trends tend to drop in price after it’s been out for a while, so waiting just a few months can save you a lot.  

Before you upgrade, ask yourself: will the new feature really improve your life? Or could that money be better spent elsewhere?

Resist the temptation to upgrade your tech unless it’s absolutely necessary. Tech upgrades are one of the best things to stop buying to save money, and let’s be honest – the latest gadgets rarely add much to your happiness anyway.

7. High Maintenance Beauty Treatments

From getting my nails done every two weeks to threading and tinting my eyebrows, high-maintenance beauty routines used to be a regular part of my life. But when I added up both the time and money I was spending, I realised it wasn’t worth it. 

For example, getting my nails done requires an hour or more that I could be spending on more productive activities. I still prioritise self-care, I’ve just moved away from treatments that are expensive and require constant upkeep. 

The costs alone were shocking, especially when I looked at how much prices have gone up. Here’s a quick breakdown:

2021

Nails – $22 (gel shellac infill every 2 weeks)

Pedicure – $22 (regular polish)

Monthly nail cost: $66

Yearly nail costs: $792

2024

Nails – $35 (gel shellac infill every 2 weeks)

Pedicure – $33 (regular polish)

Monthly nail cost: $103

Yearly nail costs: $1,236

That’s a 56% price increase. It’s crazy to think I used to spend this much just on beauty treatments!

Now, I keep my beauty routine simple.  I do my own nails and eyebrows at home and I get a pedicure once a month. This change not only saved me money but also freed up my time for meaningful activities. 

Simplify your beauty routine. Try doing it yourself or opt for lower maintenance options. You’ll save time and money without sacrificing self-care. 

8. Christmas Gifts

Gift-giving during the holidays can be a joyful tradition, but I’ve started to question whether it’s really necessary.  I used to go all out for Christmas, buying gifts for everyone from close friends to distant relatives. 

But over time I realised that many of those gifts weren’t essential and were often given out of habit.

The reality is, many gifts end up being things people don’t really want or need. And they often feel obligated to reciprocate which leads to a cycle of unnecessary spending. 

For the past few years, I’ve focused on giving thoughtful gifts for birthdays only. This approach helped me spread out the cost throughout the year and allowed me to put more time into choosing each gift. 

During the holidays, I opt for non-material gifts like homemade treats or offer my time – both of which are as meaningful and appreciated. 

Instead of giving material items for Christmas, spend quality time with your loved ones or make something homemade. This can save you money and reduce holiday stress.  

9. Overhyped Skincare Products

Overhyped skincare products are definitely one of the things to stop buying to save money. The beauty industry is constantly pushing new, “must-have” products all promising amazing results. 

I used to fall for it all the time – constantly buying new serums and creams. But after years of trying out different products, I realised that a lot of it is just marketing and most products don’t live up to their claims. On top of that, I was spending way too much money. 

Just because a product is expensive, doesn’t mean it’s high-quality or effective. The skincare industry is a billion-dollar market and many brands promote benefits that aren’t necessarily true. 

For example, a company might market a serum for acne-prone skin, but it could contain less than the recommended percentage of active ingredients to actually make a difference. 

So, I stopped buying expensive skincare products that didn’t help my skin. Instead, I stick to the basics: a good cleaner, moisturiser and sunscreen. These essentials are all you need to keep your skin healthy. 

If you have specific skin concerns you can add a serum to target that concern. But make sure you do your research first.

There are plenty of dermatologists who create content to educate you on skincare for different needs.

One of my favourites is Dr Vanitta Rattan, who not only breaks down product recommendations but also teaches how to read skincare labels and identify key ingredients. Learning this kind of information will save you a ton of money. 

Do your research and stick to a simple skincare with proven essentials. You’ll avoid falling into the trap of overhyped products and save yourself a lot of money. 

10. Daily Starbucks

I love Starbucks. Most mornings on my way to work I would either buy a white chocolate mocha or a chai latte. But those $5 coffees added up quickly. At one point, I realised I was spending almost $60 a month on coffee! 

While those coffees did taste amazing I had to stop this bad habit. So I started making my own coffee at home. I bought some quality coffee from the grocery store and fun syrups, so I could recreate my favourite drinks for a fraction of the cost. 

Not only has this saved me money, but it’s also become part of my morning ritual.  

Invest in a milk frother to take your home coffee game to the next level. Trust me, once you start making your favourite cafe drinks at home, you won’t want to go back. 

This is one of the things to stop buying to save money without giving up your favourite treat. 

11. Souvenirs

When travelling, it’s tempting to buy souvenirs to remember the experience. I used to buy t-shirts, keychains and random trinkets. 

However, I’ve stopped buying excess physical items from every trip. Not only do souvenirs clutter up your living space, they often end up forgotten in drawers or cabinets. 

I now only buy a fridge magnet. It’s a simple affordable way to remember my travels without cluttering up my home. Plus, looking at the magnets on my fridge brings back greater memories without the need for bulky souvenirs. 

If you’re not into fridge magnets, consider creating a digital travel journal. You can capture your experiences with photos and write about your adventures without bringing anything physical home. 

12. Bottled Water

Bottled water seems like a small expense, but it adds up quickly – both financially and environmentally. I used to buy packs of bottled water every week, but now I’ve invested in a filtered water jug. 

This small change has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years and is much better for the planet too. 

Even if you’re not environmentally conscious I recommend switching to a water filter jug and reusable water bottle. It’s a small change that can save you a lot of money over time. 

13. Items on Sale

Sales can be deceiving. Seeing a 50% off sign can make you think you’re getting a great deal and end up buying things you don’t even need.

But buying something because it’s on sale isn’t savings – it’s still spending. 

A discount may seem like a great deal, but it’s important to distinguish between buying something you genuinely need versus something simply because it’s on sale. 

If an item you were planning to buy anyway goes on sale, then yes, you’re saving money. However, buying an item solely because it’s discounted doesn’t mean you’re saving-it means you’re spending money you otherwise wouldn’t have. 

This mindset shift has helped me avoid impulse purchases and stick to a more intentional approach to shopping. 

To avoid impulse purchases, try using the 24-hour rule when shopping online. If you’re tempted to buy something, wait a day and see if you still want it. More often, you’ll realise it’s not worth the money. 

Don’t let sales trick you into unnecessary spending. If you weren’t planning on buying the item in the first place, it’s not a bargain – it’s an expense.  

14. Sanitary Towels

This one might be TMI but it was a game-changer for me. Like most women, I used to spend a lot of money on sanitary products every month. But after switching to a menstrual cup, I’ve saved hundreds of dollars over the years. 

A menstrual cup is a one-time investment that lasts for years. It’s not only more eco-friendly, but it’s also a lot more convenient. It does take some getting used to, but once you make the switch you’ll wish you did it sooner. 

If you’re hesitant about making the switch, try using a menstrual cup alongside your regular products until you feel comfortable. 

Ladies trust me, invest in a menstrual cup. It’s a lot more hygienic and you’ll save money on disposable products and reduce waste. 

15. Expensive Perfumes

Perfume is one of those small luxuries that can feel so indulgent. But you don’t need a whole collection to enjoy it.

I used to have multiple bottles of perfume, but I found that most of them sat unused on my dresser. 

So, now I’ve cut down to just two: one for everyday wear and one for special occasions. It simplifies my routine, ensures I actually finish the bottles before they go bad and saves me money.

Choose scents that make you feel confident and happy. Wearing a fragrance that you love can elevate your mood and keeping it simple with just two perfumes will mean you’ll always have a signature scent. 

Stick to one or two perfumes that you love and wear regularly. You’ll save money and still feel luxurious. 

Final Thoughts on Things To Stop Buying to Save Money

At the core of these decisions is the idea of intentional spending. By eliminating unnecessary purchases you can free up more money to invest in things that truly matter. 

Making these shifts in your spending habits doesn’t mean sacrificing your quality of life. It actually leads to simpler more fulfilling life. Remember, it’s not about what you earn – it’s about how you manage what you have. 

What are some of the things you’ve stopped buying to save money? Let me know in the comments below. 

This post was all about things to stop buying to save money.

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