It’s been far too long since our last “Save It” post (see earlier examples on the blog), so the other night I started jotting down everyday things we simply don’t buy anymore. After years of living a streamlined lifestyle, many of these omissions don’t feel like sacrifices — they feel like sensible, simple choices that add up to meaningful savings over time. Some of these we’ve mentioned before, and others I realized I’d never written about. Here’s a thorough list of things we typically skip and why.
We approach this with a practical mindset: if something isn’t adding value, we don’t buy it. Below are the regular expenses we avoid and simple swaps that reduce cost without feeling like deprivation.
- Meat every night: We typically eat meat only three or four nights a week. Other nights are pasta, bean burritos, veggie stir-fries, homemade pizza, nachos, baked sweet potatoes with salad, and similar meals that are tasty and inexpensive.
- Fabric softener: We often skip it. Occasionally we use vinegar, but most of the time a wash without softener is fine and saves money.
- Dusting spray: Instead of polish sprays, microfiber cloths and water do the job well. It’s simpler and cheaper.
- Frequent dry cleaning: Most of our clothes are machine or hand washable. We only go to the dry cleaners once a year for a few coats and blazers instead of monthly visits.
- Professional dog grooming: Our dog has short hair, so we bathe him at home and trim nails ourselves, which keeps grooming costs low.
- Print newspaper: We get our news online and listen to radio like NPR, so subscribing to paper delivery isn’t necessary.
- Bottled water: We use a water filter and refill reusable bottles. It’s healthier for the planet and far cheaper than buying bottled water.
- Daily coffee-shop runs: I love chai, but making it at home makes it affordable — a box from the grocery store can make many cups for the price of a single coffee-shop drink. We reserve café treats for special occasions.
- Checked-bag fees: We pack light. Even when traveling with a dog or child, we’ve avoided paying checked-bag fees by traveling efficiently.
- Styling products: Gel, hairspray, mousse, and serums haven’t been part of my routine for years. I prefer low-maintenance, wash-and-wear hair — it’s cheaper and better for my skin.
- Excess makeup: I keep a small makeup pouch with the essentials and skip buying lots of shades and products. Fewer cosmetics means less money spent and less clutter.
- Specialty creams and self-tanners: I’m comfortable with my natural complexion and don’t spend on expensive lotions or tanning products.
- Perfume and cologne: I’m happy with the scent of my shampoo, and John doesn’t wear cologne, which cuts down on another recurring purchase.
- Frequent haircuts and coloring: I might get a low-cost trim every couple of years, otherwise I trim my hair myself. We also cut John’s hair at home, which saves salon bills.
- Regular salon manicures and pedicures: I usually do my own pedicures and leave fingernails bare the rest of the year, with an occasional manicure outing as a treat.
- Gym membership for me: I don’t use a gym membership, though John enjoys one. I prefer home workouts and activities that don’t require a monthly fee.
- Regular alcohol purchases: Alcohol isn’t a typical expense for us. John rarely drinks and I might open a bottle at home infrequently, so we don’t budget for regular alcohol purchases.
- Disposable diapers: We used cloth diapers, which reduced the cost of disposable diapers significantly. There are pros and cons to every approach, but it worked well for us.
- Dedicated diaper bag: I used a regular purse and kept extra baby supplies in the car rather than buying a separate diaper bag.
- Incandescent light bulbs: We’ve switched most fixtures to CFLs and LEDs, which use less energy and last longer. Upgrading to all LEDs is an investment, so we’re making the change room by room.
- A second vehicle: For the years I’ve worked from home, one car has been sufficient. Owning a single vehicle cuts insurance, maintenance, fuel, and registration costs.
Choosing not to buy certain items frees up money for things that matter more to our family: project materials, organic groceries, cable TV, and fun décor. It’s all about prioritizing and balancing. What would be on your “skip it” list? No judgment — everyone has different priorities and splurges that make sense for them.
Psst — we’ve shared over 30 money-saving posts over the years for more ideas and inspiration.