15 Things I don’t buy anymore and the freedom of enough
15 Things I don’t buy anymore
Our family lifestyle has changed to reflect on things I don’t buy anymore…because the last few years? Well, inflation has reminded us all of the ways to tighten our budgets and make the most of our money.
Our adult lives have been financially bound by a single income, making ends meet, and providing as a homeschooling family. It has been a wonderful journey and necessity truly IS the mother of invention.
However, when the kids moved out? My husband and I had a period of regular date nights out. It was glorious and fun, and, well, done.
Post (that thing going around) restructured all of our lives in unique ways, and the forced home time produced some unexpected good things! It has been a slow, reflective process of reducing the “stuff”.
You probably have it too. Excess piles, shopping habits, careless purchases of things already owned. Ugh. Enough. Honestly, it started to gross me out.
Fun fact: this is my grandpa and his siblings trying to get their old car running
How to be happy without buying things
Excess isn’t a fertile ground to appreciate what you have.
It saturates our brains and we become desensitized. For us, instant gratification isn’t always what it is cracked up to be.
That is why I started making a list, after watching some youtube videos of the topic, of “things I don’t buy anymore”. Honestly, the list will be reevaluated each year, but for now? No more.
Even being a practiced homemaker who can stretch to make ends meet? This last year I have continued to learn! To make a point of continuing education and encouragement from others sharing their experiences. You can find a few I like at the bottom, I’ll put links.
Being happy has nothing to do with accumulation, but instead, curation.
In all honesty, thrift store hunting has become a hobby. That in itself isn’t a “bad thing”. It is great fun! But not weekly. If my husband and I have a thrifting date, I might slip a little here and there. And that is ok!
The point is to really be aware, right? To choose instead of grab.
Here we go. In random order, just the way my mind works…
15 Things I don’t buy anymore
Paper napkins– Sure they might seem like a small thing, but, why? I’ve been collecting super nice cloth napkins from thrift stores. They make dinner festive and just can be tossed in the laundry. Often I can find a set for a few dollars
Extra cleaning products – Have you seen all the promises and been let down? This year I am using up what I have and making DIY cleaners to replace them. It is amazing how cheap you can do them, with common items. Great too for allergies!
Shaving cream- Dang it has gotten expensive! Did you know you can just use soap or an inexpensive hair conditioner? A 99-cent bottle will last you for years
Cheaply made items/vs quality-I have never spent money on quality items, unless I found them at Goodwill. My idea of fancy has been the clearance rack at Target. Yet, much money has been wasted? Those clothes seldom hold up. From now on, I will search for quality items (still on sale, naturally 😊 ) instead of fast fashion. Ethically that will be a smarter choice also
Art supplies- Oh, the beauty of shiny objects REALLY grabs me in this category. However, I have more than I could ever realistically use. Desires can be put on my Christmas wish list, but I want to use what I have, instead of piddling that time browsing what is new
Dvds- The library has all of the new ones, and we seldom really watch the ones we have! One exception here…if I find the complete set of I Love Lucy or The Twilight Zone for a smoking deal? Yes please!
Full price– This seems broad (and it is), and I am going to do a post soon about shopping sales, esp. groceries, but full price? Just about everything goes on sale. We need the money more than the new item
Fancy toiletries from BBW– What an addiction we ladies often have with this place! Instead, I will use the lotion from Trader’s Joes for $3.99 which is just as luxurious. Also, essential oils with a carrier for fragrance. The older I get the less amazing all the chemical smells seem
Cookbooks- I confess, my weakness. Not just any cookbook, but specifically the early 1900s through 1950s. I have plenty. My bookshelf groans with the weight. Now, to read them. My goal is to study and glean the best tips to share with you from depression era cookbooks
Home décor- Retail stores don’t tempt me. I think it is over 50. You already have your house mainly set up, and realize stuff mart means a stuffed house if not careful. For me, the only temptation is in thrift stores. But, my house is still full. No additions are needed. If I DO find a treasure? Something has to go
Gadgets– How many times are we suckered into gadgets promising to ease any challenge? Jeesh, my great-grandmother raised 10 kids during the depression. Without all the gadgets. Would some have made life easier? Sure! However, she probably would have laughed at our perceived “need” of all the trinkets. Going back to basics
Vintage linens- It hurts my heart just to write this. Enough said ♥
Cooking spray- Hmm, is this really a timesaver? They always get clogged up, have gotten expensive, and a simple wipe of a pan with a butter wrapper does the job for free
Coffee table books -I don’t even have a coffee table, haha. Those books are heavy! And truly, how often do we browse them? I have about 10, maybe next year I’ll have 5. No (NO books would be great my TBR pile is ridic. But no promises I can’t keep!)
Candles– My stomach clenched just writing this. I am determined to use up the ones I have, and then learn to make my own …a future side hustle is percolating
I don’t buy anymore without a purpose
The list could go on and on, with a slow walkthrough of all cupboards and closets, etc. Can you relate? What would you add to this list?
All of our collections have been sorted through over the last few years. We have moved a ton of times and I hope to have one more in the future. Moving less stuff would be wonderful.
Plus, have you heard of Swedish death cleaning? That really impacted me after going through my grandma’s things last year. You can read about it here.
What to do instead of buying more stuff
While I will never be a minimalist, I shudder at the thought, I will be a reigned maximalist. Prepared for situations without being overprepared.
Remembering I am free to let go of the mama mindset of “will we need this?” for all of the years of homeschooling, parenting, and homemaking.
A scarcity mindset that is getting the boot.
Things I don’t buy anymore allow for adding experiences to life! From the simplest bike ride, to planting a new flower, to having a bit of gas money to drive for a further hike.
Experiences don’t have to cost money, and that is what we can do instead of buying. Embracing life is free ♥!
Your turn, do you like things minimal or feel cozier in a nest? Whatever you enjoy the most, would you like to join me in choosing ONE thing to cut out this year? Let me know what that would be!
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