Let’s be real for a second. Saving money is hard.
“Learning about the things I stopped buying was the turning point in my financial journey. Saving money isn’t just about earning more; it’s about spending less. A few years ago, I looked at my bank account and felt sick. Honestly, I wasn’t buying luxury cars or fancy watches. Instead, I was just… leaking money. Five bucks here, ten bucks there. It didn’t seem like much, but by the end of the month, I was broke.
Eventually, I realised I had to change something. I didn’t want to live a boring life, but I needed to stop wasting cash on stuff that didn’t matter.
So, I made a list. Here are the 10 things I stopped buying to save over $300 a month. And honestly? I don’t miss any of them.
1. Brand Name Groceries
This was the easiest switch. We are brainwashed to think that “Brand Names” taste better. Spoiler alert: They don’t. I started buying the store brand (generic) pasta, beans, and spices. Actually, it tastes the same, yet it costs way less. Why pay extra just for a fancy label?
2. Daily Coffee Shop Runs
I used to grab a $5 latte every single morning. In total, that is $150 a month! When I did the math, I wanted to cry. Consequently, I bought a decent coffee maker and a travel mug instead. Now, I make my coffee at home in 5 minutes. It tastes great, and I save a ton of money.
3. Cable TV
Who actually watches commercials anymore? Recently, I realised I was paying over $100 for cable but only watching like two channels. The solution was simple: I called the company, cancelled it, and switched to Netflix. By doing this, I save money, and I don’t have to sit through ads. Win-win.
4. Bottled Water
Paying for water in plastic bottles is kind of crazy when you think about it. It’s bad for the planet and bad for your wallet. I bought a water filter pitcher for my fridge. It cost me like $20 one time, and now I have free, cold water whenever I want.
5. Pre-Cut Veggies
Admittedly, I used to be lazy. Because of that, I would buy those containers of pre-chopped onions or fruit because they save time. But stores charge a huge “laziness tax” for that. Now, I buy the whole fruit and chop it myself. It takes five extra minutes, but it’s half the price.
6. Quick Fashion
In the past, I used to purchase trendy, inexpensive t-shirts that would disintegrate after just one wash. I had to constantly buy new clothes, so even though I thought I was saving money, I was actually wasting it. I buy fewer clothes now, but the ones I choose are of higher quality and last longer.
7. Random Subscriptions
Check your bank statement right now. Seriously. When I did this, I found out I was still paying for a gym membership I hadn’t used in six months. On top of that, I also had a streaming app that I had forgotten about. I cancelled everything I wasn’t using. That put an extra $40 back in my pocket instantly.
8. Paper Towels
This may sound extreme, but hear me out. In fact, paper towels are literally money you throw away. Therefore, I bought a pack of microfiber cloths that I can wash and reuse. Not only do they clean spills way better, but I also never have to panic about running out of paper towels.
9. Brand New Books
I love reading, but spending $25 on a hardcover book adds up fast. I stopped buying new books and got a library card. Most libraries now offer free apps like Libby that allow you to download audiobooks and ebooks directly to your phone for free.
10. Buying Lunch at Work
Buying a sandwich or salad near my office costs about $12. If you do that every day, that is over $200 a month! I started bringing leftovers from dinner or making a simple sandwich at home. It’s not as exciting, but seeing my savings account grow is pretty exciting.
Conclusion
You don’t have to quit all these things today. That’s a recipe for burnout. Just pick one. Maybe start making your coffee at home tomorrow.
Saving money isn’t about punishing yourself. It’s about spending money on things that actually make you happy, instead of wasting it on stuff you don’t even notice.
What is one thing you can stop buying this week? Let me know in the comments!
“If you want more tips, read my [About Page] to know my story.”
