24 BEST and WORST Purchases of 2024

Wow, I can't believe that it's the end of 2024, can you? One of the best minimalism rules that helps me save money and be intentional when I shop is the habit of reflecting on the best and worst purchases that I've made at the end of the year. That way, I can take all of the mistakes and life lessons that I've learned to improve my life and choices in the new year! So, in this week's video, I'm sharing the best purchases and the worst purchases of 2024. What do I love and what do I regret buying? Find out now!

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ABOUT A TO ZEN LIFE
Along my journey to let go of 30 years of clutter, I accidentally became a minimalist and it was life-changing.

Before, I was an emotional hoarder with nothing but the clutter from lost loved ones — and $25,000 of debt — to my name. Now I have a beautiful home in Europe, a happy family, live debt-free, and — best of all — wake up to a life that I’m EXCITED to live every day.

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[AtoZenLife]

What were your BEST and WORST purchases of 2024!? Please like this video and share your stories in the comments below!

[elizabethbertsch]

Hi Marissa! I just wanted to say that I think the person who judged you for having a ping-pong table is way off base. Firstly, looking at your home inside I would ABSOLUTELY say your family is minimalist! Secondly, how wonderful that you have a recreational item in your home! You don’t have to run to the park or wherever if the weather is bad. And I so appreciate your channel! You always take time to explain your thinking behind your purchases, and that helps me to ask questions before I buy something! Thank you! 😊

[labradoritefeldspath]

To avoid over- or under- watering a plant, the best tip a specialist gave me was: one per week, place your plant in a basin with 3-5 cm of water. Or in the bathtub with a few centimetres of water. Leave the plant in this position OVERNIGHT. This way, the plant will absorb EXACTLY THE RIGHT AMOUNT of water through its roots. By following this advice, all my plants have thrived.

[reneenyberg]

Wow. Your home is absolutely breathtaking and literally my dream home. I’m so happy for you and your family that you found this home and that it is still on your best purchase list.

[UnStrungHero]

I think your ping-pong table is terrific. Kids not glued to screens!!

[eileenm]

Marissa, A leaf blower can be a huge time saver, ( they’re great for cleaning the garage floor too), but for lawns, consider a mulch mower. It’s a lawn mower with a mulching blade, the mulching blade shreds your leaves into tiny pieces, you leave the mulched leaves on your lawn and you have just taken advantage of free organic fertilizer. We have an electric mulch mover that is light weight, quieter and no more purchasing gas. Just charge the mover up, unplug and you are set to go.

[ajbisek]

I like using mason jars as glasses. You can buy tops tops for them to keep things fresh for later, use them for hot and cold drinks, save soups for later in the fridge, ....

[lee]

Yay for table tennis tables! My brother and I played for hours from elementary years, throughout high school and beyond. My brother was a rated player for several years, even during med school. I'm sure your family will have hours of fun as your children grow.

[GretelEnck-eqkf]

In my mid fifties, I have taken up swimming laps in the past year and just bought myself a new bike (retiring the old one I got 25 years ago). I thank my mother a thousand times over for ensuring I learned those skills as a child. Still paying dividends.

[ourfamilyyoutubechannel]

You are so mindful with all your purchases, and it’s helped me and inspired me a lot.

I do have to say seeing you have things that you were disappointed in was really nice and refreshing.

You put so much thought into most things and to see you still have things you regret makes me feel like okay, it’s alright if you make purchase mistakes once in awhile, just learn from them.

[Lauren-Pip-ONeal]

Enjoy your ping-pong table! I understand 'minimalism' or 'overly simplified' to mean what's right for each person/family ... not choosing misery. 🤣

[house_of_cruz]

I love your reasoning for a ping pong table! Every family is different with different needs and wants 😊

[stephanie]

Don't worry about the rug, looks like a wool one and the shedding is normal with that kind of pile. It does get better over time. Also, I would recommend keeping your car in the garage if you have squirrels. They will chew through wires in the engine, to the radio, airbags etc. Ask me how I know 😱

[julielineham]

Hi I've just found you channel. And what a joy and great find it is. I've had a very emotional 2024, I've retired from work and am almost at the end of my breast cancer journey. I am also going to downsizing in 2025. I've decided to do decluttering by room, so now my bedroom is calm and restful, my bathroom is also a calming place as well. Still a long way to go but you videos are a joy. I love how you keep it really. I wish you and your beautiful family a fabulous 2025. Julue from Wales UK

[SilviaN]

Oh, I´m so glad to hear that you came to like the blue tiles in your kitchen! As I remember - you mentioned in one of your house tour videos, that you weren´t sure if you liked the blue color. I really like those tiles! Love from Denmark 💙💙

[camikonecky]

Really liked this video including the end where you show what you resisted purchasing.

[lalablotz]

Talk about scams, holiday scams that is. I need to replace my black v neck sweater, it’s past the point of even being donatable. Barefoot Dreams had the exact one I want on the 12 days of Christmas sale for $45 this morning….woot woot! Or so I thought. I added to my cart, proceeded to checkout and discovered the shipping charge was $17.49! For a sweater! If I want free shipping I have to send $150! Oh hell no! So they can keep their “sale” sweater and I will keep my money. I have a brown one I can wear instead. Happy Sunday everyone ❤️💚

[fromhumblebeginnings]

I bought the toaster, agreed! Best purchase in a very long time!! I got the same dutch oven on a facebook group for $25. It was never used - so happy I didn't rush into this purchase!

[TheMennomilist]

Wow the rug situation looks bad! Loved learning the best and worst of the things you bought. I love how we can learn lessons from our experiences of purchasing. I am like you where sometimes I wait years before getting the thing that I have been wanting. That is like how I wanted a large rice cooker and had a 2 cup one for 18 years! Finally, I noticed that my mom had one in a box on her counter for two years. . . still unused. I asked her if she planned to actually use it or if I could have it since I have wanted and needed one - so she gave me it. Saved me money and cleared her clutter from her hoarding issues.

It is scary to think how much worse situations may be for those who are NOT minimalists who just buy things that end up sitting around or getting trashed shortly afterwards.

[KCallaAK]

Well Marissa, I have a walking pad but have put off getting a standing desk because we live in a very small 600 sq ft home. Now that my husband is also using the pad daily and we found a place to leave it out permanently, I mentioned a standing desk and he was all for it! So!! Merry Christmas to me! Thank you and have a wonderful Christmas with your family.