15 Things I Don’t Buy Anymore (Minimalism & Saving Money)

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Chapters

00:00 Start Here
00:48 Trendy 'Town Center' Food
01:58 Oil Changes
02:48 Individual Stocks
03:38 Expensive Gym Memberships
06:15 Food Delivery
06:56 Vacationing In The US
07:49 Things On Sale
08:22 New Phones
09:06 New Furniture
09:54 Shirts With Logos
10:37 Scented Home Products
11:20 Fancy Outdoor Equipment
12:05 Books
12:31 Cheap Glasses
13:18 Low Quality Items

In this video, I share 15 things I do not buy as a frugal minimalist.

1. Trendy “Town Center” Food

Trendy town centers are popping up all over the US and although they are nice, buying food there is extremely expensive. Not only is it expensive, but the food is often frozen food they just heat up. I don't mind spending $20 on a meal, but I refuse to buy this frozen food.

2. Oil Changes

Changing oil is an extremely easy and simple thing to do. If you learn the basic skill of changing oil, you can save money, get better quality oil, and not have to worry about a mechanic breaking your car.

3. Individual Stocks

When I first started investing, I chose to buy individual stocks; however, I quickly started to lose money in the stock market. After reading the book, "The Simple Path To Wealth," I have decided to not buy stocks and just invest in index funds.

4. Expensive Gym Memberships

I think it is important to take stay in good physical health; however, I do not think you need to spend a lot of money to do that. I choose to go to budget gyms and do outdoor activities instead of going to expensive gyms.

5. Food Delivery

Oftentimes when people use food delivery, they end up spending more money on the delivery costs than the food. I refuse to spend money on food delivery.

6. Vacationing In The US

I like to visit family and friends in the US; however, I do not like to vacation in the US because it is so expensive. Instead, I prefer to vacation in other countries because it is cheaper and more interesting.

7. Things On Sale

Companies use sales as a marketing strategy to get people to buy thing they normally wouldn't have bought unless it was on sale. I only buy something when I have the intention of buying it, not because it is on sale.

8. New Phones

New phones are expensive and one way I lower the cost of phones is to buy used phones on ebay.

9. New Furniture

Instead of buying new furniture, I choose to get my furniture from thrift stores and Facebook marketplace. It is cheaper and just as good quality.

10. Shirts With Logos

I do not like to wear shirts with logos because I do not want to be a free walking advertisement. Instead, I buy simple, solid color shirts.

11. Scented Home Products

Scented products like plug in scents, sprays, and candles are extremely toxic and release chemicals that are like releasing car exhaust in your house. I do not buy scented home products to save money, but also for my health.

12. Fancy Outdoor Equipment

I love spending time outside, but I do not think you need a lot of money to do it. I don't buy fancy outdoor equipment because I think it is unnecessary.

13. Books

Instead of buying books, I check them out from the library because it's free and doesn't create any clutter.

14. Cheap Glasses

I wear glasses every waking minute and because of that, I think it is important to spend more money getting glasses I like.

15. Low Quality Items

When you buy low quality items, you are setting yourself up to buy the product again shortly. I prefer to buy high quality items because in the long run I save money.

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[PixelShade]

I realize that I am probably more frugal than I think. I don't own a car, I bicycle everywhere (occassionally I take the train/buss), I don't have any subscription services. In terms of clothes I only buy what I need and each garnment will have the following lifecycle: during parties or at work > casual clothing when hanging out with friends/family > home clothing > sleeping wear > cleaning cloths/rags or recycling. Some of my clothes are 24 years old, and they have just now been downgraded to sleeping wear. Many at my age want to live in big houses, I chose to live in a studio apartment here in Sweden. Total monthly spending for me is <500$. I can basically earn my monthly upkeep with ~14 hours of work. There's no stress, and it allows me to me to follow my passions as well as being present with my close surroundings. Nowadays there's time for contemplation and introspective thoughts, I have been able to become a more compassionate human in the process. For me it's not about getting rich, it's about gaining freedom, and being able to live my life on my own terms.

[lc]

I am supportive of buying used furniture except couches or mattresses. I’ve heard too many bedbug horror stories.

[juliaw.]

I had always worn cheap glasses and a few months ago bought expensive eyeglasses. What a huge difference! I will never repurchase cheap ones.

[krislee]

Totally agree about food delivery! It's ridiculous not to go pick up your own food, let alone pay the extra fees.

[eddiestilll]

i fully agree with the "new phones" point. my phone model is over 5 years old now and i still plan on keeping it until it stops functioning or breaks. people never understand when i tell them it's servicing me just fine and it's still as enjoyable as day 1. they always try to convince me of "reasons" to upgrade, like "slowdown" (no, it still works just as fast as day 1), "apps not working anymore (no, i can still download all the apps i need and haven't ran into 1 app i couldn't yet), or "degraded battery life" (no, i still have all day battery. sure, it's not as good as day 1 but it's like 90% of what it was on day 1)

[monishthomasp]

Fully agree.. Infact you don’t even have to buy used phones - I bought a iPhone 11 when the 13 came out - and it was a brand new one which cost me just half. Dealers want to push old model stocks off their shelf ASAP. This has been my policy always with phones. ❤

[jennesont]

Getting rid of used oil is not easy in our area, so the drive through oil change places (with a coupon) work out to be a negligible price difference and a way better deal from the driving around and frustration levels

[annyer]

My dad taught me how to do an oil change when I was 15. Then I worked out how to do brake pads, then spark plugs, wires, carb overhauls, then engine overhauls. Then I learn to paint cars. There is not much I cannot do to a car, it is not that hard.

[HectorLopez-wcfx]

Don Agustin, love your videos. The short clip showing you from behind as you were squatting reveals medial collapse of the left knee (resulting in a slight outward flick of the heel). I'm a physical therapist and see this quite often. The medial collapse as you lowered means your left hip abductors (chiefly your TFL and glute medius muscles) are weak. That could lead to problems down the road. Just Google or YouTube "Hip abductors exercises." I'm sure you'll find plenty of exercises that will fix the problem. A little payback for all your great content. Keep it coming!

[elizabethm]

There are two things I spend on. I also spend on glasses for the same reasons. I also do not buy cheap shoes. My job requires professional dress. Life is too short for uncomfortable, painful shoes.

[richardackley]

I love this video. Thank you Austin. I ordered the book. Can’t afford the therapy at the moment, but I might arrange something in future. Heading to Target to buy a pack of Tshirts. You’re very helpful I’ve got a lot of anxiety now. I love your gorgeous eyes, demeanor. I’m retiring right now, trying to minimalize everything. Appreciate your help. [Seattle, WA]

[seaneverett]

Living in a place where there’s lots of snow in the winter, I have found that Cross Country skiing is a fantastic relatively inexpensive outdoor activity. Sure, you CAN go all out and get expensive skate skis and buy a bunch of fancy equipment, however, a new pair of decent entry level Nordic skis with boots and poles are only around a few hundred dollars. I even found an older (still in great shape) full set of gear for 45 bucks at a local thrift shop. A season pass for a WA state Sno-park is about 50 bucks. After that, you can XC ski for basically free!

[marcokeller]

THANK YOU for making the point about quality eyeglasses. You get what you pay for. I'm an Optician and I get people coming in all the time with stuff they bought on line that falls apart of is made incorrectly. You can buy quality and a decent price, you just have to shop around a bit. Particularly when you get older and need Progressive (no line bifocal) lenses. There is a huge quality difference between cheap ones and good ones. Good ones work so much better and are easier to adapt to. Cheap ones are usually old lens technology. Would you buy a brick sized cell phone? then why would you buy an old technology lens that limits your field of vision? Rant over

[joanaw.]

The last thing is true. I bought so many clothes and shoes with low quality, after 2 years or less they were old and I had to replace them. I just started buying good quality clothes and shoes from thrift stores. I could find new items still in tags for less than $15. Most leather shoes and coats, cashmere and even wool sweaters! I heard once someone said that we are too poor to buy inexpensive things!

[KeturaSaint-Fleurose]

When I moved to nyc, I created a deeper hole for myself by spending so much money on food. Not getting groceries because I wanted to try out different restaurants (and the interior design like you mentioned created an illusion for me) Having said all that, I’m wayyyy less tempted to spend money at these restaurants after realizing how mediocre the food occasionally is to me. Mind you, I’ll enjoy myself out but I want to only spend money on occasions that are a 100% yes. And my 100% yes allows to me create a more narrow focus on what experiences will ACTUALLY create more meaning to me.
Your hilarious 😆

[ScorpionMaiden]

If I want my home to have a relaxing scent I use essential oils in my mop water or a couple drops in a spray bottle with a bit of water. Then spray curtains or put essential oils on cotton balls in hidden places in the house. Mint is also good for keeping pest out too 😊
💜💕🦋🔥👑🔥🦋💜💕

[danspencer]

I have a feeling that the people who would benefit most from your messages will not listen. That's fine, because you are helping the people who deserve it.

[mysticalmisfit]

“I don’t want some weird mechanic touching my car.”🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Sharperthanu]

There's something even cheaper than driving: Walking and occasionally using public transit.

[sandy]

Austin- You are a smart and entertaining young man, with great tips! You have found your calling. You are a natural at this. I love watching your videos as they bring a smile to my face and I learn something along the way. Great job!