10 things I stopped buying to save money

What’s the first step to saving money? Knowing where your money is going! So, today, I’m sharing 10 things that I stopped buying in order to save more. Hopefully, this will give you some ideas on where you can start too. 🙂 Saving money doesn’t have to be hard – it just takes a little bit of planning and being very intentional about your spending.

I don’t like to feel deprived or frugal- that’s the fact. I can spend as much as I can on the things that I love, but for items that I no longer find important in my life, I would look for alternatives to save money. Here are 10 things I stopped buying to save money:

1.I stopped buying expensive coffee and now make it at home

I am a coffee lover, that’s for sure. A day doesn’t start until coffee. I love the anticipation of waiting in line, the smell of fresh grounds, and the first sip of a piping hot cup. However, $5 lattes every day start to add up. If you spend $5 on coffee every day, that’s $1,825 per year! Sound insane doesn’t it?

I tried various methods to make good coffee at home. I used French Press, Paper Filter, Pour Over, Drop coffee (Vietnamese way). Last year I purchased a Nespresso because the machine is fairly cheap yet the coffee was consistently delicious. It was a game-changer for me because I now make lattes at home for a fraction of the price and still get my daily dose of caffeine.

However after a year, I looked back into my budget and I see that using Nespressp is not only pricy, but it is not sustainable for the enviroment. I don’t like the idea of using a pod just once and have to throw it away. There are way too many kind of costs associated with one cup of coffee from Nespresso.

So I decided to buy a fully automatic coffee machine. Needless to say, it is an investment for my coffee ( the machine cost me north of $1,000), but in terms of month to month expenses, instead of spending 40-50 for Nespresso, I can buy a whole bag of coffee beans which cost around $17 and last me a month. That’s not to mention the freshness of coffee from bean to cup that Nespresso cannot be beat.

I also discovered that making cold brew coffee at home is very easy and economical. If you are a coffee lover like me, give it a try!

2. I stopped buying lunch every day and started packing my own

Eating out is expensive, especially in Canada or the US, with tax and everything, it is not uncommon to spend $15 for a simple lunch. If you do the math, that’s $75 per week or $3,600 per year! Just think about what you could do with an extra $3,600 – you could save it, invest it, or use it to pay down debt.

Packing your own lunch is a great way to save money. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – a simple sandwich or salad will do. If you work near a grocery store, you can even pop in and grab something quick if you forget your lunch at home.

I like to pack my lunch the night before so I’m not rushed in the morning.

3. I stopped buying new clothes all the time and now stick to a capsule wardrobe

II stopped buying new clothes all the time and now stick to a capsule wardrobe. (if you never hear about it, Capsule Wardrobe is a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other. These are often classic pieces that do not go out of style and are primarily composed of neutral colors. A capsule wardrobe allows you to create a variety of different outfits with a small selection of clothes)

I save money by not buying clothes that I don’t need, and I manage my money better by setting a budget for myself. I also find that I have more time to enjoy life and the things that I love because I’m not spending so much time shopping. capsule wardrobe has allowed me to save money, manage my money better, and enjoy life more. If you’re looking for ways to save money and live a simpler life, I encourage you to give it a try.

4. I stopped buying paper books and started borrowing them from the library and read on my Kobo

I used to love buying paper books. The smell of new books, the feel of the pages, and the satisfaction of owning a physical copy of a book. However, I quickly realized that paper books are a waste of money. They’re expensive, they take up space, and you can only read them once.

I save a lot of money by not buying paper books and instead of borrowing them from the library or reading on my Kobo. I also save time by managing my money tips and tricks so that I don’t have to go out and buy books constantly. Not only do I save money, but I save trees and help the environment by doing this as well. In addition, I can manage my time better by reading on my Kobo because I can take it with me anywhere and don’t have to worry about lugging around a bunch of heavy books. As a result, I’m able to save money, time, and the environment by simply making a few small changes in the way that I read.

5. I stopped buying processed foods and now cook from scratch

The $5 meal plan

I decided to save money by cooking from scratch. I manage money tips and save by cooking all meals at home. This way, I save on eating out and save money on groceries. By cooking from scratch, I also know exactly what is going into my food and can control the quality and quantity of ingredients. Plus, it’s more fun to get creative in the kitchen and experiment with new recipes! Not to mention, the end result is always so much more satisfying when you’ve made it yourself. If you’re looking to save some money, I recommend giving cooking from scratch a try.

6. I stopped overbuying expensive beauty products and focus on my skincare instead

When it comes to beauty, we all want to look our best. But with the high cost of beauty products, it’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of overspending. I know I’ve been guilty of splurging on products that I don’t really need, only to find that they don’t work as well as I’d hoped. Luckily, I’ve since learned that expensive beauty products aren’t always the answer. Instead, I focus on taking care of my skin and using budget-friendly products that actually work.

Not only has this saved me a lot of money, but it’s also helped me to better manage my skin. By focusing on a few key areas (like cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting from sun damage), I’m able to keep my skin looking healthy and feeling great. So if you’re looking to save some money and improve your skin care routine, ditch the expensive products and focus on taking care of your skin instead. You’ll be glad you did!

7. I canceled my gym membership and now use YouTube videos to workout at home

I canceled my gym membership and now use YouTube videos to workout at home. It’s been great because I save money and I don’t have to buy any sort of workout equipment. All you need is a space to move around in and some comfortable clothes. I also save time because I don’t have to commute to the gym. And I can work out whenever I want- even if it’s just for 20 minutes. There are so many free workout videos on YouTube that it’s easy to find one that fits your schedule and goals. Plus, you can switch up your routine so you’re never bored. If you’re looking to save money and get in shape, working out at home is a great option.

Here are some Youtube channels that I love and follow for yoga:

Yoga by Sophie

Yoga by Mady (she has some 10′ all music Yoga session that are very relaxing and effective)

Jai Yoga Academy (very deep and practical yoga practice by an Indian Yogi)

8. We stopped paying for cable and now only watch shows on Netflix and Youtube

We stopped buying cable TV a few years ago and now we only watch shows on Netflix and Youtube. It was a tough decision at first, since we loved our cable TV, but we save so much money now. And, it’s not just the money we save on the actual cable bill – it’s also the money we save by not buying snacks and drinks every time we sit down to watch TV. If you’re thinking about cutting the cord, here are a few tips to help you manage your money and make the most of your new Netflix/Youtube-only lifestyle. 

First, set a budget for how much you’re willing to spend each month on entertainment. This will help you avoid overspending on your new streaming habit. Second, take advantage of free trials to explore different streaming options before committing to anything long-term. Third, make sure to cancel any subscriptions you’re no longer using – there’s no point in paying for something you’re not even watching! Finally, use this as an opportunity to explore other hobbies and interests. Now that you’re not spending hours glued to the TV, you might be surprised at how much time you have for other things!

When it comes to entertainment, there’s no longer a need to rely on traditional cable TV. Thanks to streaming services like Netflix and Youtube, it’s easy to watch your favorite shows without ever having to leave your couch. And best of all, you can do it without breaking the bank. We made the switch to streaming a few years ago and haven’t looked back since. Not only do we save money each month, but we also have more control over what we watch. No longer are we stuck flipping through hundreds of channels in search of something good – now, we can just browse through a handful of titles and choose the one that looks most interesting. If you’re tired of paying for a cable package that you never use, why not give streaming a try? You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it.

9. I stopped buying name-brand products and switched to generic brands whenever possible

Making the switch to generic brands can save you a lot of money over time. name-brand products often come with a premium price tag that includes the cost of marketing and advertising. generic brands are usually cheaper because they don’t have the same overhead costs. And in many cases, the quality of generic brands is just as good as name-brand products. So why not save yourself some money and make the switch to generics? It’s one of the simplest ways to save money and stretch your budget a little further. Plus, you can feel good knowing that you’re not unnecessarily wasting money on marketing costs. Give it a try and see how much you can save!

10. Avoid impulsive buys at the grocery store

It’s happened to everyone: you’re at the grocery store, you see something that looks good, and before you know it, it’s in your cart. Whether it’s because of hunger, impulses, or marketing tactics, we’ve all been guilty of making an impromptu purchase or two (or more) while at the grocery store. But did you know that those impulse buys can really add up? In fact, the average American family spends $2,500 per year on impulse buys at the grocery store. That’s a lot of money that could be used for other things!

But don’t worry, there are ways to stop the cycle of impulse buying. First, try shopping online instead of in-person. When you shop online from home, you have time to think strategically and make meal plans instead of grabbing everything attractive on the shelf. You can also take advantage of online coupons and deals to help save money on your groceries. Additionally, make sure to eat before you go grocery shopping; Shopping on an empty stomach is one of the surefire ways to end up with a cart full of impulse buys. Finally, try to stick to a list when you’re at the store; This will help you stay focused on what you need

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