50 Things I Don't Buy and Ways to Save Money

White distilled vinegar is a great fabric softener and no residual smell. It prevents laundry soap buildup in you clothes and keeps my washing machine clean!! My sheets and sweaters have never been softer.

Only groceries we buy are dry baking goods, coffee, and paper products like toilet paper. I never get my hair or nails done. We don't have cable...buy our used cars cash. We go out to eat maybe 1-2 times a year, we don't travel or spend nights away from home. I start all my flower and vegetable seedlings from seed. All of our furniture is used/thrifted, except our couch and mattresses. I don't buy new home decor, i thrift or upcycle everything. We are extremely frugal....but we love our life.

I suggest investing in bee's wax wraps (or make your own) as opposed to Saran wrap that will be here forever, and has to be re-purchased.

I wont buy more than 5 new clothes this year. So far I ve bought pair of tights. It is really interesting to take care of your clothes and repair them.

Would love to see a video on how u do your nails !!

Hair cuts, hair dye, nail services, specialty cleaners, tv streaming services, and new shoes/clothing. I've been getting into making my own clothing and feel so much better being able to craft my own wardrobe rather than settling with in-store (both thrift and big box stores).

Your makeup is beautiful! Would love to see a video on what you use and how you apply it :) God bless

Great list Steph! We’re living a much more minimal life now than we used to and rarely buy anything we don’t actually need. Definitely no trinkets/Knick-knacks/things that will just collect dust on a shelf etc. It feels just unnecessary for our family. I also don’t buy new crockery unless something breaks. If you declutter, and then don’t keep bringing in new stuff, the home stays minimal and peaceful. 😊

Paper towels( cut up an old bath towel into small squares, buy a 6 pack of cloth napkins and stop buying paper napkins, no beverages.. add lemon or cucumber slice to water😊

I agree with all of these! Some of these things we still buy but I totally agree with all of your reasoning! Sometimes I feel like I’m just being cheap but there really is purpose behind all of it. I like the way that you frame that saving money in what you buy also contributes financially to the household. That is a helpful way to think about it! 😍 thanks for sharing!

Thank you, I enjoyed listening to your list. This winter I have been doing all of my cooking on my woodstove. I figure why turn on my electric range when I have my woodstove going 24/7. My mom always cooked everything from scratch and at 59 I continue doing the same thing. I’ve always kept everything in my life as natural as possible. I loved reading everybody’s comments ❤

I don’t buy regular cleaners. I make my own with essential oils etc.. and use reusable bottles.. plus no cable tv ❤

I don’t buy Christmas, birthday cards anymore. I bought an origami book and decorate with the figures i make. They turn out really cute and people enjoy them. I found a package of card stock they sell at Wallmart that measures perfectly. Fold in half and it makes two cards. I even learned how to make the envelopes. . When i first tried making them, they were not spectacular. But practice makes perfect and now everybody loves then.

I love this video! I agree on all of the things! I do haircuts most of the time, we have never bought a new vehicle, it has to be used and cash, I don’t buy any frozen ready to eat meals, also no microwave, don’t dye my hair, we don’t buy any beef meat but rather Butcher our own. Thanks so much for sharing your tips!

Magazines!! I carefully choose 2 a year to give me light, fluffy reading/pretty pictures to look at that is not blue light based!

Our kids are now grown, youngest is 25, but I truly appreciate having some of our earlier decisions affirmed by your suggestions. Thank you! We were often the "weird family" but somehow our kids turned out just fine and are thriving. One thing I also gave up long ago was Saran Wrap. I found that a bowl covered by a plate means that something else can sit on top of it. Silicone sandwich bags are pricey but last forever and I can occasionally find them at the thrift store. Even foil and parchment paper can be eliminated. If you decide to do without, somehow you find other solutions.

The minimal mom said microfiber cloths are very bad for marine life. Do you wear an spf on your face everyday? That’s very important. Maybe just use a cheap moisturizer at night as well. 😀

We do not buy Kcups.. We use a permanent one. The thought of Kcups in the landfill, just breaks my heart.

As much as possible I try and fill vases with flowers or foliage from the garden instead of buying expensive bunches from the supermarket or a flower shop. Sometimes I do buy larger bouquets, if they're really special and I can't get anything the same or similar from my own garden. But I often do without flowers and make displays and arrangements just from interesting shaped, self-grown foliage. Or I gather stems and branches when I'm out walking. It's creative and very therapeutic. I'm guessing with your professional flower growing you have an abundance of blooms at home too whenever you need them!

I loved this video so much!😊 I am currently working at swapping all my plastic containers for glass. I'm thrifting them, not buying new. What is your favorite type of rag / cloth to use instead of paper towels?