What's Something You Stopped Buying That Changed Your Life?

Have you evaluated your regular purchases lately? 🤔 Sometimes we get so in the habit of consuming something that we don’t even stop to think if we actually want to be spending money on it. Here are 14 things that these minimalists stopped buying, and they don’t miss ’em!

14 Things Minimalists Stopped Buying That Changed Their Lives

Looking for inspo to cut unnecessary things from your life? Reddit’s got some ideas!

1. Streaming services

Spend less money on streaming services. Trash TV in particular hasn't had a good influence on me, even if it seems entertaining at first. But when I listen deep inside, it's often just nerve-wracking.

I love the idea of evaluating the media we consume and cutting out what doesn’t serve us. But…if you still want to watch your trash TV, there are often free options! Cutting streaming services is a big upgrade either way, even if you’re still watching the same stuff. 😛

2. Shaved my head

I shaved my head. So that means I stopped buying all kinds of hair care items. Traveling is a breeze. As a woman you don't realize, even with a low maintenance hairstyle, how much time, energy, and STUFF goes into making your hair nice.

I’m soooo tempted…

3. Tampons

This may be TMI, but I stopped buying tampons and pads once I discovered menstrual cups! LIFE CHANGING! I started using the Flex Discs disposables as my gateway drug into this fantastic world of period freedom, and it's been amazing! I look forward to trying out the readable cups! Highly HIGHLY recommend this for everyone!

There are SO many great options out there now, from cups to period panties. Save a ton of money, waste, and discomfort. For minimalists, these can be a stellar option to free up storage space, make fewer purchases, and have everything you need for your period in one cute little bag.

4. Books

Books. The person I am and the person I wanted to be are very different people. I kept dropping 100 pounds in Waterstones (that I couldn't afford) on "cerebral" books. I did not read them and actually donated a load of guilt purchases not long ago. Now I'm all about the library!

The most powerful weapon in a minimalist’s arsenal is the library card, truly. If you’re an audiobook person, the library has you covered, too! Use the free Libby app with your library card to access ebooks and audiobooks at no charge.

5. Bottled water

Bottled waters because our tap water is undrinkable. Brita filter here I come--it only took me five years. I also hate bringing 40 pack of waters...so heavy.

I use a Berkey filter, and it’s amazing!

You can read my Brita vs Berkey review here, or check your local water reports to see if your tap is safe to drink if you’re ready to stop buying bottled water.

6. Junk food

Junk food and fake "foods"...now I no longer get sick several times a year, feel better, skin is clear, normal weight, great energy. I'll have a treat on the weekend but otherwise only a square of dark chocolate here and there.

7. Laundry products

Laundry items. Now I only use fragrance and dye free detergent, no fabric softener, no dryer sheets. I have dryer balls I use occasionally. I also stopped sorting my clothes into color loads and just wash them all together. Laundry is so much simpler and faster this way.

Wool dryer balls and a good laundry powder recipe is really all you need. This minimal laundry routine saves me a ton of time and money.

8. New clothes

New clothes. I have only bought thrift store clothes for now 15 years. It has saved me SO much money. Plus, I have a unique style and don't care too much about following fashion, and I think that naturally grew from buying thrift.

I also alter and upcycle these clothes, and it turned into a fully fledged hobby and a blog.

Exceptions: I buy my underwear new. And I buy new tights if I can't find enough in thrift stores. Especially wool tights.

I agree with this line of thinking 100%. Saving money, getting creative, and having a unique wardrobe to express yourself with! Secondhand clothes have already stood the test of time, so you can feel more confident in the quality: If it’s lasted this long, you know it’ll keep lasting.

Plus, you know you’re not contributing to the fast fashion industry and saving some textiles from the tons and tons of fabric waste we create each year.

9. Soda

Soda. It was pretty life changing. The effects on my wallet, teeth, waistline, and energy levels were very noticeable. I'll have a bit of soda on occasion, like at a party or a road trip.

Stuff-wise, cheap gadgets, fashion, and decor. I'd spend $5-15 here and there on stuff that looks cute and may have been marginally functional, but it was cluttering my life and the costs really add up. Purchasing more intentionally and mindfully helps a lot.

Cutting out soda can have a huge benefit on your health, but you never have to cut something out entirely! Something like the occasional soda becomes much more enjoyable when you’re not chugging several a day.

10. Impulse purchases < index fund

This is a roundabout way of answering, but buying into an index fund monthly stopped all of my impulse purchases completely over a period of the first month or so. When I really started to get interested in finance/compound interest/long-term investments, I realized how wasteful all of my daily extravagances were, and how they were affecting my long-term financial stability. I came from a very poor upbringing, which might have skewed my perspective, but I get more comfort from financial security than material possessions.

11. Services

Truthfully, services. It's what has changed my life the most.

I can repair my own phone and spend way less money to do it. I can repair my electrical. I can maintenance my plumbing. I can troubleshoot appliances to a more advanced extent. I cut my own hair, I can do my own nail extensions. I can build my own furniture (just shelving and whatnot), and I can DIY many home projects like flooring, painting--I built a deck.

So I don't need a new phone, new tech, new appliances, new furniture, or new decor. Being able to do these things lends to owning more things like tools, yes, but in the long run, it serves you so much better than just purchasing it all over and over.

Learning these kills has done SO MUCH for me in the way of minimalism than simply "owning less things". I have many things, but they come from curbs or are handmade my locals or thrifted. I'm a bit maximalist honestly, but refusing to overconsume with mindless purchases has shifted my life to be filled with only thing that have real value to me. I have to go out of my way or make a specific point to acquire something, so it all has much thought put into it. It's the best way to live.

You can truly learn anything on YouTube dot com.

12. Amazon

Amazon. Not exactly life-changing, except I've saved a lot of money by having to work a little harder to buy some things that are otherwise one click delivery. Turns out if I can only get it on Amazon, I don't actually need it.

Plus the feeling of saying FU Bezos, you don't get anymore of my money directly (I also don't shop Whole Foods) is pretty excellent.

Cancel your Amazon Prime already! And fill out your strike card!

13. Vapes

So many unhealthy habits also cost us a ton of money. Cutting back can make us feel better in multiple ways!

14. Beauty products

I stopped buying beauty products, fancy creams, and serums. I just use a mild cleanser on my face, basic moisturizer, and sunscreen. My skin actually looks and feels better, and I save so much money.

98% of the beauty industry is a complete scam. If they sell you products that actually work, they stop making money! If you struggle with skincare, consider cutting back to the basics and seeing how you feel after a few months.