7 Things You Don’t Need to Buy This Year (to save money)
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Things you don’t need to buy to save money
If you want to save money, you’ve got to stop mindless shopping. This is buying something without considering whether you actually need it or can afford it.
It’s a habit many of us are guilty of, and breaking it can be tricky. But it’s possible.
So today, we’re looking at a few things that you probably don’t need to buy this year to save money. Now, I’m not saying that you should absolutely under no circumstances buy the items on this list. But if you’re looking to save money and reduce clutter, what I am suggesting is being mindful before putting these in your cart and seriously consider whether it’s something you can do without.
1. Skip souvenirs and save money
For some people, I know this might be a hard one, especially if you always buy keychains, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and other small trinkets when visiting someplace new. It’s part of the vacation or getaway experience, and I completely understand the excitement of buying an item bearing the name of the location.
For years, we used to collect shot glasses from different places and other pieces. But after a while, the stuff really started to take over and clutter the tables and shelves. Truthfully, a lot of it was things we couldn’t even use—it was just stuff to look at.
A few years ago I decided to switch gears, and now my pictures are my souvenirs. Sometimes I’ll even print and frame them. This doesn’t mean that I never purchase souvenirs. Occasionally I will, but not nearly as much as before. I now consider whether it’s something I’ll use on a daily or regular basis.
About three years ago I bought a keychain, and more recently I bought a mug. Both are items I actually use.
2. Stop buying coffee mugs to save money
And while we’re on the topic of coffee mugs, I went through a phase where I was buying coffee mugs at a record pace, which was kind of crazy as I look back.
In addition to buying them as souvenirs, if I was at Target, HomeGoods, or TJ Maxx and I saw one with a cute saying printed on it, I would get it. And to be honest with you, it wasn’t until I ran out of cabinet space that I realized I might have a problem.
I am a tea and coffee drinker who likes variety, and you might be the same. But eventually, it gets to a point where you have to ask yourself, when is it enough?
So now, I’m extremely selective. And if I stumble on a mug that I really like, I use the one in, one out rule. I’ll buy the mug, and then get rid of one that I don’t use anymore.
3. Declutter instead of buying more storage bins
Now, if it’s your first organization project in a long time, getting a few storage bins is great for keeping things tidy and out of sight.
But on the other hand, if you’re ALWAYS buying storage bins, this might be a sign to start getting rid of a few items.
I once read that storage bins give us an excuse to hold onto stuff we don’t need and won’t ever use again. And on top of that, storage bins can add to the clutter. They take up valuable space in your closet and garage. And once you stuff items inside, you’ll probably forget you own them.
So instead of always running out to buy new ones whenever stuff starts to take over, skip the storage bins and start a donation bag instead.
4. Save money by ditching new subscriptions
Subscriptions have taken over, and it is what it is.
I think it’s unrealistic to suggest canceling all of your monthly subscriptions. But even though these are a part of our life, a line still needs to be drawn.
There’s always going to be a service you could add, and some of these might be cheap, maybe $5 here and $10 there. Even so, the cost adds up.
Currently, US households spend about $200 a month on subscriptions, and that’s just an average. Some people spend less, and others spend more. Regardless of where you fall, there’s likely room for improvement. So going into this year, you might commit to not adding any new monthly subscription bills.
5. Don’t buy unnecessary home decor
And this is for my people who love interior design—artwork, candles, table accents, pillows, and so forth. I love this stuff too, and sometimes I like to walk through home decor stores just for fun.
I don’t need anything during these times, and I’m not on the hunt for something—I’m doing it to kill time. But since I like this type of stuff, there have been times when I ended up buying stuff “just because.”
I would be so focused on how cute something was or how it matched my color scheme that I wouldn’t even consider whether I had a place for it. So when I brought it home, I would put it anywhere. Sometimes it worked in the space and sometimes it didn’t.
Therefore, unless you’re actively decorating your space or looking for something specific, don’t browse for fun, especially if you have a finished space.
6. Resist the urge to buy “just-in-case” items
Basically, this is something that catches your eye when you’re walking through a store. You had no intentions of buying this item, and you weren’t previously thinking about it. But you saw it and thought to yourself, this would be good to have just in case.
If you utter those three words, don’t buy the item. If “just in case” has not happened already, it probably won’t happen in the future, and you’ll end up spending money on things you’ll never use.
7. Don’t buy lotions and body washes (finish what you have)
Now obviously, I’m not saying not to buy skincare products. I’m all for skincare, and I love lotions and body washes as much as the next person. And because of my love for these items, I know how easy it is to stockpile them.
Thinking about my past pattern, I have a tendency to get bored with a product when it’s about halfway empty (even when it was the smallest size available). I would buy something different, get bored again, and continue the cycle. In the end, I had all of these lotions and body washes that I didn’t finish.
If any of this sound familiar, make an effort to be less wasteful and actually finish what you have before buying something new.