It’s been a while since we shared a “Save It” post — we’ve done a few over the years — and I’ve been thinking lately about small habits we don’t follow and how skipping them adds up. What started as simply avoiding occasional purchases has become a way to streamline our lives without feeling deprived. Below is a tidy list of the things we typically skip and why, plus how those small choices help our budget and lifestyle.
Some of these are things we used to buy and stopped. Others were never part of our routine. Over time, they’ve become the default, and the cost savings are just a welcome side effect. Here’s what we typically skip, and how we replace each item with a simpler, cheaper option.
- Meat every night: We cook meat three or four nights a week and plan vegetarian or simple meals the rest of the time — think spaghetti, bean burritos, veggie stir-fries, homemade pizza, nachos, roasted sweet potatoes with salad, and other easy, satisfying meals.
- Fabric softener: We often skip commercial softener. Sometimes we use a splash of vinegar in the rinse, but usually nothing at all — and we honestly don’t notice a difference.
- Dusting spray: Instead of polish, we use a microfiber cloth and a bit of water. It’s effective, inexpensive, and avoids extra chemicals around the house.
- Frequent dry cleaning: Our wardrobes are mostly machine- or hand-washable, so we reserve dry cleaning for a couple of coats or blazers once a year instead of monthly trips.
- Professional dog grooming: Burger has short hair, so we bathe him at home and trim his nails ourselves, which covers the basics without the salon bill.
- Print newspapers: We get news online and via radio (we listen to NPR), so paper subscriptions aren’t necessary for us anymore.
- Bottled water: We use a water filter at home and refill metal bottles, like Klean Kanteens, instead of buying bottled water.
- Daily Starbucks: I love chai but brew it at home most mornings. A grocery-store box makes multiple cups for far less than a single cafe drink, so we reserve coffee-shop visits for treats or special outings.
- Checked-bag fees: We challenge ourselves to pack light. Even with a dog or a kid, we’ve avoided checked-bag fees by traveling lean.
- Hair products like gel, mousse, and hairspray: I stopped buying those long ago — wash-and-wear is my style, and avoiding heavy styling products also helps prevent breakouts for me.
- Lots of lipstick or makeup: I keep a small makeup tote with a few essentials and skip buying dozens of shades. Fewer products, less cost, less clutter.
- Expensive creams and self-tanners: I’m comfortable with my natural skin tone and don’t invest in many skin potions. Simple skincare and sunscreen are my main priorities.
- Perfume and cologne: I like the scent of my shampoo, and John doesn’t wear cologne, so fragrance isn’t a routine expense for us.
- Frequent haircuts and color: I might pay for a haircut every couple of years, trim my own hair between salon visits, and I cut John’s hair at home. That inexpensive routine works for both of us.
- Regular salon mani/pedis: I treat myself perhaps once a year. Otherwise I do my toenails and leave my fingernails natural — simple and budget-friendly.
- Gym membership for everyone: John enjoys his gym, but it’s not something I subscribe to. Walking, home workouts, or outdoor activities meet our needs without an extra monthly fee for both of us.
- Regular alcohol purchases: Alcohol isn’t a major household expense — John rarely drinks and I might have a bottle of wine occasionally — so it’s not a steady budget line.
- Disposable diapers: We chose cloth diapers in the past; that decision reduced long-term diaper costs. (More about that on our cloth-diaper post.)
- Dedicated diaper bag: I used a purse and kept essentials in the car instead of buying a separate diaper bag.
- Incandescent light bulbs: We’ve switched most fixtures to CFLs or LEDs. The up-front cost is higher, but energy savings add up, so we’re gradually replacing bulbs room by room.
- A second car: Having one car works for our situation — I freelance from home — and eliminates the extra costs of a second vehicle, including loan payments, gas, insurance, and maintenance.
Choosing not to buy certain things lets us spend more on priorities we value: project supplies, organic produce, occasional cable, and fun items that matter to us. Frugality for us is a balancing act, not deprivation — it’s about being intentional with money so we can afford what’s most important. What do you skip to save money? No judgment here — everyone has different priorities and small swaps that make sense for their family.
Psst — we’ve shared over 30 money-saving posts in the past; feel free to browse our Save Some Moolah category if you want more ideas.