10 Things I Stopped Buying | Minimalism & Decluttering

On my journey to a simpler, less cluttered and minimalist life, these are 10 things I stopped buying or spending money on. Save money and stop accumulating! What things do YOU no longer buy? Share in the comments!

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Hi, I'm Julia Graf! I am a beauty and lifestyle content creator with my main focus on Youtube. I became interested in makeup when I was in college, and I saw it as a creative outlet for self-expression. The human face is my canvas.


I create all my videos entirely by myself - from creative inception, to filming, to editing: I am truly a One Woman Show.

I am Swiss and Canadian (dual citizenship) and live in Switzerland. I studied Political Science and International Development Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. I speak German, English and French, and when I'm not working, I love to travel, cook, read and keep fit.

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[ChayatsujiKimono]

Minimalism is not actually about having an empty house but having only that matters to you. As long as you have the things that bring you joy, value and purpose, you don't need an empty house ^^
Most minimalists tend to choose to have less items on display because it just feels better that way.

It's a common misconception that minimalists tend to own nothing or next to nothing. While you can go that extreme, it's not something most people tend to go for. I wouldn't go for such an extreme way of living either to be honest haha.

Yes, I am a minimalist ^^ I myself have a collection too, and it brings me so much joy! No way that I'm going to get rid of all that :)

[NalaShore]

Oh you know what I decluttered as well? My youtube subscriptions! Many youtube gurus just don't help with not wanting to buy stuff, so I just watch those who help me have a better perspective in life and be less of a compulsive buyer! :D

[marthaable]

Im 45 and my hair is completely grey in a long bob and i love it!!! It took me 2 yrs to grow it out. I don’t plan on changing it.

[glassanddiaphane]

I started using reusable makeup cotton rounds and makeup removing wipes, they are so nice, inexpensive and I don't have to buy disposable ones anymore. It's environmentally friendly too!
Also, I have been using menstrual cups for +10 years now and that has been a huge change for my monthly budget. I don't have to spend on pads or tampons anymore.

[MathPiHanan]

I love dying my hair and experimenting with different colors. But, since I started seeing gray hair, I decided to just embrace it! I’m 31 with dark brown hair with a gray streak, and I love it!

[andreeagaleanu]

Hello! I totally agree. I stopped wearing jewelry, I stopped buying clothes that I don't need, make up that I don't need, I haven't changed my phone for 3 years, I prefere to use public transport, because in the place I live I think it's more frustrating than helpful to own a car. I live in a small place and because of this I always think twice before buying, because the lack of space for new staff is very frustrating.

[YvonneH]

Last year I quit coloring my hair...I am 54 so I knew there was white underneath the hair dye, I also had hair past my shoulders. I just decided I was done..had my stylist put alot of blonde highlights in and cut it into a super short pixie. Kept the pixie until December (once all I had left was my natural color). Now i am growing it back out in all of it's beautiful white and light brown splendor!!

[emma-kbms]

Other youtubers are making me buy, you make me save, and I totally agree with you. You always tell the your true thoughts, I appreciate that, that’s why I keep watching your videos for years....

[ooppii]

Omg I have large beats I cannot image my life without bras! I wish I could but I feel so self conscious without one because they dangle and my figure look of a there's more weight further down. And If I jump without a bra it hurts. I dunno I guess bras are a nessecary evil for me :)

[asiadawn]

I stopped eating out as well. I enjoy cooking and I can cook some delicious meals! Also, I often cook with my husband so it’s nice to spend time with him while we cook something great.

[kyocat]

I love to read so much. I prefer to read a physical book over any digital media. But in the past year or so I have decreased the number of physical books I buy dramatically. I have moved around a lot and don't know if I will be staying in the city I live in for long. People judge me regularly for reading books on an e-reader, but overall I think as long as I don't have a permanent home, why invest in treasures that I may have to give away when I can read ebooks and stop my public library from going under. I wish everyone stopped turning their nose up at ebooks. We all love books and should appreciate that.

[AlinePires]

Yes!!! Minimalism changed my life and the way I look at money. I saw a documentary called "Minimalism", and it's an Inspiring way to start this journey of less consumption. My wardrobe has now been reduced to 30% of what it was, and I wear absolutely everything. It's just so good. Thank you for this video, hope it makes people rethink their habits !

[oneleggedduck]

I totally get the gifts thing! I have a huge family and my husband has a decent sized family, too. Every year, Christmas is such a financial hardship that it becomes stressful. Two years ago we finally stopped buying gifts and I give everyone a spaghetti basket. I can spaghetti sauce in a huge batch every fall and throw a jar in a basket with a box of pasta and a fresh loaf of bread. My family LOVES it and it’s affordable and zero stress.

[JMinspired]

Julia you are an inspiration! Years ago I wanted to buy a lot of stuff but couldn’t afford and felt bad because of that. Now I can get what I want but mostly I don’t because I really don’t need them. Probably because I have taught myself think well before buying and get only necessary items. And I am glad that I am not the only one who doesn’t follow the trends! 🙂

[Jenny_bell_key]

Hi Julia! I have also stopped buying bras. I don’t know if I will go completely braless, but I am for sure getting away from wearing underwire bras. I’m just done with having a perpetual sore spot in my underarm where the wires poke me.

[Damselfred]

I got two kids and I totally agree with you. My house is full of toys they hardly ever played with. Now, whenever i can, I replace giving an object by DOING something with my kids, like a special outing or activity, a sort of quality vs quantity thing.

[lumimumi]

i agree with so many things what you said! I stopped buying gifts 2 years ago, and i never felt so good. I invite my friends and closest family members to my house and i cook a nice dinner instead. It made the life so much easier and stress free on Christmas. I dont buy make up anymore and clothes, only if i need it. This video made me like this channel even more!

[shellace]

I stopped Christmas shopping a few years ago, best decision. While everyone is buying gifts no one wants or needs, I'm enjoying the actual holiday time.

[karlabeebop]

I finally had that realization this summer with the trendy clothing. I ended up decluttering my closet and got rid of five large trash bags of clothes and shoes that I wasn't wearing. It was really eye opening, and now I'm reading the life changing magic of tidying up. I am now focused on saving my money to see how much I can save in a year by not buying a million things that aren't needs.

[tinmanluver]

I'm right there with you on the bras! I still wear one to work because of expectations (grrr), but that's the only time I ever wear it. I also agree with you about the gifts--there's no sense in just adding more stuff to a pile--and I think your idea of giving experiences instead is great!