10 THINGS I DON'T BUY ANYMORE | minimalism & money saving

Here are 10 things I stopped buying that has helped me save money and live minimally (plus enjoy the things that matter most to me!) What things have you stopped buying?

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Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and does not substitute or replace medical advice. All opinions expressed are my own. This description contains affiliate links, which means that if purchases are made when clicked, I’ll receive a small commission. Thank you!

Meghan Livingstone, CNP
Certified Holistic Nutritionist

[TheTaits]

I used to buy books. Tons of books but I no longer do. I get my books from the library or borrow from a friend. If I do buy a book it's from a thrift store. I also no longer buy makeup. I will buy mascara and lip balm but that's it. I haven't worn full face makeup for many many many years and I feel my skin has only benefited from it. I don't always like my complexion but I figure, that's what my skin looks like so just accept it. I no longer buy products that aren't all natural. I want products that are friendly to the environment and to my body.

[TheFreeLanguageProject]

1) Purses
2) Large wallets
3) Jewellery
4) Souvenirs and Knick knacks
5) Pre-made sauces and seasonings
6) Lotion
7) Body wash
8) Sales promotions
9) Items not yet used up

You're welcome.

[cherriercheung]

I think that’s part of growing up and being mature. When you’re young you wanted to experiment with everything. You wanted to feel like “an adult”. Then you realize what’s really important to you and what is not. You’ve found your personal style. You are confident with your own choices. So anything doesn’t fit in your lifestyle can be eliminated.

[tamiwithani]

When I travel I get a souvenir magnet from the place. So my fridge has lots of magnets. I find it takes up no space and it's good way to display and remember the places have visited.

[Ana-wnkd]

Stuck between "I need to save money" and "I only live once"

[lenguyenhoangly]

I can't stop buying books. I love it. I also stop buy everything in your list but i won't stop buying books. Never :)) bcuz i love it.

[PlainAndChelsea]

I wish I was a small purse kinda girl! I need my whole wallet, house keys, work keys, chapstick, mirror, headphones, charger, pads and tampons, everything. You need it? I got it. Mary Poppins is my middle name!

[aubreytoms]

I’ve been on a journey to simplify since graduating in March as a consumer health librarian and I must say- shopping only when you need something or after you’ve carefully considered it, really makes your life simple! The money and stress saved by being intentional and now- ecofriendly- has been great!

[ladverde]

Haha I’m poor so I never even started buying all those unnecessary things

[suzannederringer]

The way ypu have come to live is how I have always lived. This is partly because I grew up 'poor' so material overload was not an issue - then I moved to NYC as a music student, and my husband and I shared a TINY apartment near Lincoln Center. Much of my life has been travelling. So -
- NO jewelry - I used to wear earrings occasionally but really - I have enough trouble finding socks that match!
- Wardrobe very simple, with some good quality things that will look good for years (coats/jackets).and basic tees/tops and jeans/slacks that you really want to buy fresh every year or two. So don't buy many at one time!
Same with shoes. And underwear.
- Bags - I have 3. A small leather cross-body that basically holds small wallet and cell phone - a smallish leather backpack - and a fabric tote for books/notebooks.
- Personal Care - I use Bronners Liquid Peppermint Soap to wash me and my hand laundry. For YEARS. Minimal makeup. No fancy creams - coconut oil, olive oil, a rose oil maybe. 'Pampering'myself is not my idea of fun.
- NO 'stocking up.' Like - enough toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning products (dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, bleach, laundry soap) for a month. I do my basic household shopping once a month, so I don't have to stop for toilet paper along the way.
- KITCHEN is minimalist and basically vegetarian. NO prepared ANYTHING. There's good Olive Oil and Coconut Oil. There's herbs (from my garden) and spices (in small quantities for freshness). There's brown and white rice, but no pasta because I don't like pasta. There's dry beans and peas. And some walnuts. Maybe a2 jars of good preserves. And some teas. In fridge - ALWAYS several kinds of fruits & veggies but I buy small quantities and don't waste. There's usually good whole milk yogurt and/cheese. GOOD olives. Butter. Eggs from farmers market. That's it. Occasionally a little meat or fish.
I just turned 71. I've never been overweight and never dieted. I've never wanted a lot of stuff. And I've always been healthy!

[phoebegraveyard]

I’m a firm believer in stocking up. I drive an hour and a half to the city for groceries, so I only shop once per month. In the winter, even once a month can be risky, so I stock up on beans, grains and frozen fruits and veg for a 4-5 month period. I store everything dry in glass jars and vacuumed seal quarts of grains and beans for the winter. I’m careful to rotate my freezer and have a list of the freezer contents and lay out that I update every time I take something out. Since moisture, air and light are the enemies of dry foods, eliminate those to keep stores fresh when you just can’t pop out to the shops every time you want something.

[dewianggraini]

We'r only a traveler in this world
That's my mom use to say
I thought its jst an excuse not to buy those things we can't afford
But trully now I understand

[Lashlove]

Costco organic coconut oil replaces shaving gel/ make removing oils / body and face moisturizer.

Muslin cloths or face towels instead of disposable facial wipes

Soap tip - I hate bar soap and feel it’s unsanitary. Use a cheese grater and grate the soap. Boil 16 oz bottled water . Add the grated soap and stir until completely melted. Let it cool overnight. Stir in the morning and pour into an old body wash bottle .

[roshniputhiyarambath]

I literally don't buy any of these things you just said. Who knew I was a minimalist 😄

I own a single pair of gold earings that i've been using for more than 7 years, and that's the only accessory that I wear. I have no purses but a single wallet that i keep in my Jean's pocket. Since I live in a tropical country coconut oil is the easiest to get, i use it for pretty much everything. I only do online shopping for clothes and takes forever to select one as I make sure I really like it. I've never used body wash, just bars of soap. I don't wear an ounce of make up, may be occasional sunscreens if I've to stand under direct sunlight.

[MommaFromScratch]

handbags, jewelry, and nick nacks, I was the same and then after having kids I only use 2 and so now I dont buy any of those anymore.

[catalinareveco]

I guess I'm a potential minimalist! I have one mini backpack and wear the same clothes over and over, (I just buy basics in different colours) and I have two pair of shoes lol whenever I find something I haven't used in a long time I donate or throw away.

[FiMilton]

I have a hard time not buying souvenirs when I travel so I get a few postcards from each trip, it fulfilled my need to shop, they’re cheap and small, and I can look back on them to remember the trip!

[itoshiibaka]

I don't buy pocket packs of tissues. I don't buy coffee from a shop except for social chats. I don't buy body wash or shaving cream. I was using avocado oil as moisturizer, but now I'm using up all of the body moisturizers we have in the house first. Might do cocoa butter bars instead because they work as hair texturizer and moisturizer.

I don't buy purses or wallets because I never want to swap them. Don't buy dresses because I never wear them. Don't buy juice. (I drink iced tea or smoothies instead.) I don't buy nail polish or powder makeup.

There are still things I buy too much of, though, like clothing. Working on it.

[giulyayasmr]

I don't buy your same things I swear, except face lotions because I have extremely dry skin an I need to use both lotion and oil, and no soap because it makes me smell not good. Also everytime I travel I learned to make smaller luggages, and the fact I don't buy all these things you told helped me a lot. I feel a lot free now, and that's awesome. Material things makes us unhappy the most of the times.

[PrincessofErised]

My spending was out of control because of impulse buying, so I "detoxed" myself with a no shopping ban in the stores where there are the most temptations. I now only shop for things I need, Google specifically for that item, then purchase the best deal I can. Thanks for the tips, will look at even more things to stop buying.