17 Things To Stop Buying To Save Money 

Are you constantly swiping your credit card in pursuit of a quick burst of happiness? I used to be in the same boat. 

Every time I was sad, anxious, or happy, shopping was my go-to way to restore my dopamine high. 

Over time, I realized the behavior was crippling me financially and also keeping me from handling my issues in a better way. 

So, I decided to embrace minimalism, cut back on my spending, and take control of my financial life while decluttering my home. It’s a win-win situation if you ask me!

If you’re struggling with the same or are simply seeking ways to cut costs and free more cash towards savings and investments, you’ve come to the right place. 

From takeout to bottled water and trendy clothes, I’ll share an in-depth list of things to stop buying to save money. Dropping these purchases isn’t easy, and it won’t happen overnight. 

However, you must show yourself some grace and allow yourself to get rid of the bad habit of excessive shopping gradually.

Ready to improve your life’s quality and save more through mindful shopping? Let’s get started!

How Much Does The Average American Spend on Unnecessary Things?

Statista reports that the average American spent about $150 monthly on impulse purchases in 2023. This data is exclusive of unnecessary items that weren’t purchased impulsively. 

$150 monthly translates to $1,800 annually, which you can easily inject into your retirement plan, investments, or savings for a big purchase. 

Before I started taking steps toward a frugal lifestyle, my expenditure on unnecessary items exceeded the amount above. So, don’t be alarmed if it’s the same case for you. 

The first step to reducing unnecessary and impulse expenses is self-awareness. If you’re reading this article, I bet you’re self-aware and willing to achieve a healthier financial life. 

Baby steps—you don’t just wake up one morning and expect to turn your life upside down by introducing stringent financial management measures. 

This is likely to be uncomfortable and cause you to backslide. The best approach is changing one small thing at a time. 

For example, if you spend too much on eating out every evening, reduce it to three days a week. Once you get used to that, you can take another step and reduce dining out to once a week. 

Another counterintuitive approach that works for me is budgeting for my impulse purchases. This way, I can track my spending while leaving some wiggle room for fun. 

However, your “fun” budget allocation shouldn’t derail your financial goals. 

Things To Stop Buying To Save Money 

Take your last big shopping receipt and go through it. How many items on the list have you not used since purchasing them?

Next, walk to your closet and identify the clothes you haven’t worn in the past year. 

I’m obsessed with Marvel decor and have lots of Spiderman wall stickers. Here’s the astonishing part: none of the stickers are on my wall. I purchased them for the thrill and ended up not using them.

Home decor, excess clothes, and surplus groceries are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things you need to stop buying to save money. 

Here’s a comprehensive list to help you determine what you need to cut to free up more cash towards your financial goals:

1. Cable TV

I used to pay for cable TV but rarely used it because I usually watched movies on Netflix instead.

Imagine a recurring fee of over $83 for something you don’t use. It didn’t make sense to pay for cable and  Netflix, so I cut cable and never looked back.

Let’s face it: Cable TV is expensive, and as much as you enjoy watching it, you can’t exhaust the hundreds of channels available. 

Depending on what you enjoy watching, consider switching to cheaper alternatives like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, or Disney+ subscriptions. 

These streaming platforms exist because they offer affordable family packages you can share with your parents, siblings, or friends, making them more cost-effective.  

2. Bottled Water 

If you’re still paying for bottled water, this is one thing you can stop buying to save money. It’s expensive in the long run and unnecessary, especially if tap water is safe to drink. 

Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on bottled water annually, consider investing in a portable, reusable bottle and a water filter. 

A filter requires substantial capital, but it’s a worthy one-off purchase. Furthermore, a reusable and portable bottle is convenient because you can carry it around and save on single-use bottles. 

3. Takeout 

Eating out is a habit that took me a long time to overcome. Because of my busy schedule, I always grab dinner at a restaurant or order takeout. 

However, spending $15 on lunch daily for a 22-day month adds up to $330 monthly and $3,960 annually. See how small purchases add up fast?

If you want to reduce dining out and save more, consider cooking your meals from scratch. 

With home-cooked meals, you have more control over the ingredients and can custom-make your dishes to meet your fitness goals. 

It also eliminates hidden costs, such as delivery fees, taxes, and tips, that may drain your pocket. 

Meal prepping is an excellent cost-saving alternative to eating out if you have a busy schedule. Simply purchase versatile ingredients that you can use across meals, and you’re good to go. 

4. Brand Names 

I’m brand loyal when it comes to items like toilet paper because I just can’t compromise on the quality.

However, buying generic products rather than brand names may be an excellent strategy for saving money on other items.

Generic household cleaners and cereals perform comparably to brand names. The only difference may be in packaging and cost. Always choose the more affordable option as long as it doesn’t compromise quality. 

The best way to quit brand names is to try competing generic products. You can always switch to your favorite brands if the generic ones don’t meet expectations.  

5. Trendy Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories 

I used to jump from one trend to another because of FOMO, but it cost me a fortune in the long run. 

The worst part about trendy fashion is that once the trend ends, the piece becomes irrelevant, no matter how expensive. 

If you buy a $100 handbag now because you want to fit in, the people you want to impress will shun you for carrying the same handbag a month or two later. 

Instead of spending significant sums on clutter, consider building a timeless capsule wardrobe with neutral bases. 

For instance, you can pair black dress pants with almost every top and wear them to casual and formal occasions. 

Even if you’re the floral type, you can build a capsule wardrobe by choosing floral pieces you can easily accessorize and pair with neutral colors.  

6. Disposable Items 

Disposable items are convenient since you don’t have to spend too much time cleaning them. However, the recurring cost may dry your pockets in the long run. 

Consider replacing the following items with their reusable alternatives:

• Single-use bottles with reusable water bottles 
• Paper towels with cleaning cloths 
• Disposable aluminum pans with glass baking pans 
• Paper plates with real dishware 

Using reusable products instead of disposable ones is an excellent way to contribute to environmental sustainability while cutting costs. It’s a win-win situation!

7. Books and Magazines 

As a reading enthusiast, my biggest dream is to have a vast library filled with books I’ve loved since childhood—which is pretty much every book. 

Imagine being able to disappear into a world of books. As tempting as that is, I must be conscious of how such purchases impact my pocket. 

I’m not entirely against buying books, but let’s face it: You never really get down to reading the books on your to-be-read list. 

Instead of hard-copy books, consider investing in a Kindle e-reader to access soft-copy at a lower price. You can also find free audiobook apps on Google Play and the App Store. 

I seldom read magazines, so I’ve added them to this list. A subscription is cheaper, more extensive, and worth it if you want to save money.

Extra Reading – Get Paid To Read Books

8. Takeout Coffee or Tea 

Are you still looking for things to stop buying to save money? My next suggestion may not appeal to you: takeout coffee or tea.

Spending $3 on a drink may seem insignificant, but small purchases increase over time. $3 accumulates to $90 monthly and $1,080 annually. 

You wouldn’t incur this recurring cost if you invested in a coffee maker and brewed your drink at home. 

Consider investing in a portable, reusable mug instead of settling for disposable ones, which cost more over time.

Still not ready to give up your morning dose of caffeine? Consider joining the loyalty program of your favorite cafe. Most offer promos and points you can redeem for free drinks occasionally.

9. The Latest Gadgets

There’s always an urge to upgrade to the latest phone, laptop, or computer without considering its effect on your pockets. 

There’s nothing wrong with having the latest device models. However, if you’re seeking things to stop buying to save money, holding off on that upgrade for a few years may be worth it in the long run. 

If you must upgrade your devices for work, consider trading the old ones in to recover the cost and avoid clutter.

Saving up for such purchases is also an excellent idea to avoid creating a dent in your pocket.

10. Single-Use Batteries 

Are you passionate about environmental conservation and wondering about things to stop buying to save money?

Using rechargeable batteries instead of single-use ones is good for the environment and reduces overall costs, as rechargeable batteries last longer. 

11. Cleaning Products 

Believe it or not, most cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to your health. If you’re looking for things to stop buying to save money, these should be on your list. 

I used to believe that a surface wasn’t clean unless I washed it using two different types of dish soap. 

I had different types for different surfaces, so you can imagine the clutter I had at home. 

Consider making your cleaning products at home to cut back on unnecessary expenditures. You only need vinegar and water. Add a few drops of essential oils for a fragrance. 

If you can’t settle for water and vinegar alone, buying ingredients and making homemade cleaning products similar to the ones on the market is still cheaper overall. 

To get started, check out DIY projects on TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube. 

12. Movie Tickets 

My friends would consider this a joke because I love going to the movies. However, since I realized how expensive purchasing tickets is, I stopped doing it.

However, I haven’t stopped going to the movies. I still save up for tickets for my favorite Marvel shows and watch movies on Netflix or rent them at a lower price. 

You can do this too if you want to save more money. But if you enjoy going to the movies too much, consider taking advantage of offers and promotions at your local cinema to reduce the cost.

For instance, watching a movie during non-peak hours is more affordable since tickets cost less. Most cinemas also have specific days when you get snacks and tickets or a couple’s offer. 

13. Baby Toys 

Kids tend to outgrow things fast, so you must constantly purchase new toys. This may be expensive in the long run, especially if you can’t resell the toys since they’re damaged. 

Instead of purchasing numerous toys for your child, consider investing in experiences like play picnics, playdates, and park visits. 

You can also take turns hosting such events with other parents in the neighborhood where your children can share toys. 

Other options are making DIY toys and purchasing used ones at a lower price on Facebook Marketplace.

14. Fresh Flowers 

Fresh flowers enhance the beauty of any space, whether at home or in an office. However, purchasing a bouquet daily may be expensive since flowers are perishable. 

Consider canceling your recurring flower order and only purchasing them when necessary. You can also get rid of them entirely to save even more cash. 

Another more fulfilling option is growing them. You only need a small garden space and a few tools to get started. 

However, you may not be able to grow your favorite flowers since different varieties thrive in distinct areas and conditions. 

Alternatively, consider getting a houseplant you can care for and decorate your home, all while saving money.

15. Pre-Packaged Food 

Pre-packaged goods are convenient and less time-consuming. Imagine you’re back from grocery shopping but don’t need to cut up fruits or divide your snacks into storage containers. 

If you can relate to this, then it’s an unnecessary purchase you need to cut. Pre-cut veggies and fruits usually cost outrageously more than fresh ones. 

Consider buying your items whole, cutting them down, and organizing them yourself. It’s time-consuming but worth it, as you’ll be saving a few bucks. 

16. Gym Memberships 

Gym memberships are expensive nowadays. With the increasing popularity of at-home workouts, you can find numerous free resources on YouTube to add to your routine. 

Free videos may be limited, but you can subscribe to a home workout program to access guided exercise from the comfort of your home. 

These are more affordable than traditional gym memberships. 

17. Excessive Makeup Products 

I used to have a big eyeshadow palette with over 20 colors but always used the same neutral colors. 

At some point, I was obsessed with makeup and always got the new products and famous brands rolled out. 

However, this cost me a lot of money, and the sad part is that most of the products expired before I could use them. 

You don’t need excessive makeup products. Consider investing in base products and colors you usually wear.

Also, focusing more on skincare means you won’t need anything beyond a simple makeup routine. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I Have a Spending Problem?

Do you constantly justify purchasing items you don’t need, spending money to alleviate sadness, or hiding your purchases from your friends and family?

If you answered yes to these questions, you might have a spending problem. Another sign I relate to is receiving deliveries for impulse purchases I don’t remember making. 

A spending problem is bad for your financial health. The earlier you identify the problem, the better.

How Do I Stop Buying Unnecessary Things?

The first step in stopping impulse purchases is to remove temptation. For instance, stop shopping online, use cash rather than a card, and create and stick to a budget.

How To Save Money Fast on a Low Income?

While it may seem like a pipe dream, saving money on a tight budget is possible. Start by evaluating your expenses and cutting back on unnecessary purchases. 

From there, create a budget that aligns with your low income. I recommend the zero-based budgeting method so you do not have idle cash for impulse purchases. 

Final Thoughts 

This list of things to stop buying to save money may contain items you’re attached to, but consider the financial benefits in the long run. 

Adopting a frugal lifestyle is an excellent way to make your life more meaningful while saving money for retirement, a big purchase, or a vacation.

However, it doesn’t mean compromising your living standards. Instead of buying cheap, consider ditching unnecessary products to free up cash for better ones.

I hope this list helps you identify areas you can cut back on to save more money.