25 THINGS I DON'T BUY 💸 (HOW I SAVE MONEY & SPACE)!!!
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- Опубліковано 18 тра 2024
- One of the best ways I was able to save money was to stop buying the things I didn't need. Here are 25 things I just don't buy anymore, and I don't miss any of them! For 50% off with HelloFresh PLUS free shipping on your first box, use code CLUTTERBUG50 at bit.ly/3lwseX4!
Getting your finances under control is tough! I still struggle with impulse shopping, but I'm much better than before. Slow and steady, dollar by dollar, you CAN save your way to financial freedom - it starts with saying "no" to the items that you don't really need.
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Kleenex
01:39 Paper Towel or Napkins
02:09 Bulk Groceries
02:50 Bulk Aluminum Foil, Sandwich Baggies, Plastic Wrap, etc.
03:45 Bottled Water & Juice Boxes
04:29 Greeting Cards
05:20 Kitchen Gadgets
06:15 Spa Services
06:57 Name Brand Clothing
07:58 School Pictures
08:58 Art & Craft Kits
09:35 Hello Fresh Ad
10:38 Disinfecting Wipes & Lysol Spray
11:29 A BUNCH of different cleaning supplies
12:28 New Cars
13:31 New Furniture
13:55 Expensive Jewellery
14:16 Lottery Tickets
14:40 Cable or Satellite TV
14:53 Repair People
15:45 Party Supplies
16:22 Souvenirs
17:15 Newspapers & Magazines
17:40 Alcohol
18:33 Extended Warranties
19:31 Spend to Save
20:56 End Story
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I am 62 and have learned the hardway that the bells and whistles are unnecessary fluff. My life is simple and frugal, debt free and a rather nice nest egg is a peace of mind that is priceless.
I purchase my mom gifts that are experiences now (instead of physical items) like local tickets to a play or musical, comedy show, or a concert. I buy her two tickets so her and a friend can go. Instead of it being a surprise, I have her pick out her favorite ones. I’ve done this for almost ten years, and she really loves it!
Yes! I'd much rather get an experience over a thing-a-ma-bob!
@@Clutterbug Yes definitely 💯
@@Clutterbug omg I thought I was the only one not using Kleenex lol we just keep a roll of toilet paper around if someone is sick. Lol my dad when he was living with us he would joke about this all the time that we used it.
@@Clutterbug agree on the cleaning items I make my own I use a few drops of dish detergent and some essential oil of my choice that alone saves me tons of money I use it all over the house. I do buy leather spray cleaner for my couches.
I love this!!
Greeting cards are 2 for $1.25 at dollar trees. I love getting cards! I love looking at my kids handwriting thru the years.
I agree with this, writing to people is so uncommon now and I feel that having a piece of somebody's handwriting is so precious.
My dear friend, and I would exchange birthday cards and Christmas cards with beautiful Messages inside. I lost her a year and two months ago in a car accident💔😢. I am so grateful that I saved those cards from her. They are not a waste of space or money . I also love getting cards my kids and grandkids To me they are precious ❤
Yes yes yes!!! I have every greeting card ..... Even the very first one from when I was five years old from my beloved Auntie. It's a large box but even if it were bigger..... To precious. NOT the same as e cards..... Very personal.
Absolutely agree with you.
I have cards from my children & grandchildren, which to me are priceless, and cards from friends no longer here such lovely memories I would not part with any one of them.
We know how much kind & thoughtful words in a card can mean to someone & really cheer them up, even make their day, that someone has taken the time & trouble to think of them & send them a lovely card. Never underestimate
the power of a simple card with kind, thoughtful & loving words.
We have a rice cooker, we love it, I bought it for $15 or $20 ten years ago, I have used it 2-3x/week and it’s a workhorse in my kitchen. So if you do the math, this appliance has cost me approximately .02 per use(not counting power) for a super simple, set it and forget it, no fail experience. It is definitely not gathering dust at my house!
One thing we do when we travel is buy one Christmas ornament. 12 years and counting into our marriage and it’s a joy to see all our travels on our tree.
This is what my parents always did, and I've continued the tradition :)
We do the same and it's so much better than another dust collector.
That is a great idea!
We do this, too. Love the idea of buying a food from a destination if I needed for someone so that it is used and not eventual clutter.
We decluttered traditional Christmas out of our lives over a number of years, No tree, no gifts, no ornaments, No decor, no Christmas cards, no Christmas theme garments, no outdoor lighting. It was a combination of discovering how there was a pagan root to pretty much every tradition, combined with choosing minimalism over commercialism, and peace instead of stress. The saturnalia was the reason for the season and Jesus wasn’t born any time near December 25. And Jesus can be celebrated every day ❤️❤️❤️. We know other people are still attached to Christmas, & to family items related to Christmas in particular, so we just found welcoming homes for just about everything, donating the generic/non-sentimental items. I suppose there might be one or two items floating around in storage that got overlooked but they can be dealt with when discovered. we spend time with family or travel (or both) during that time because so many people are off from work.
All the rest of the pagan holidays have fallen by the wayside as well, for pretty much the same reasons...We actually started with the obvious, Halloween.
it does take a little bit of time to transition the brain to a new way of thinking. I didn’t realize to what extent I mentally lived from holiday to holiday, reinforced by commercial advertising and family/social expectations.
Didn’t see what a distraction it could be to things that are truly meaningful.
This video was very validating for me... I now feel wise instead of cheap! The only deviation from your list is when my family goes somewhere special, we buy a Christmas ornament as a souvenir. Every year when we put up our tree, we relive our family trips. It's become a family tradition, has saved a lot of money and avoided a lot of clutter.
We do the Christmas ornament too, of where we've been or something that we've done that year, for our "tree of life." Love it!
I totally agree, this was so validating. A lot of ppl say I’m cheap/stingy. I try to only buy under garments new. It’s incredible the price that some people pay to throw it out within months. (fast fashion/trends) I also have a capsule wardrobe.
We do something similar - we buy magnets of the places we go. We have a big magnetic white board on the wall across from our command center that houses all of them, plus doodles & notes between family members. Like you, we enjoy reliving our family trips by looking at them. :D
That is an awesome tradition, will have to give it a try ❤
I agree most except napkins are not only for your hands but to clean your mouth when you eat.
I agree with everything BESIDES the self care stuff. As a single mom - I work my butt off. I never ever used to do it but it’s not something I regret - it makes me feel GOOD and it’s the one thing I do for ME. I get my hair done every three months roughly and I love it.
I don’t do nails or anything like that but I’ve taught myself to do my own. Feeling put together when I work two jobs and go to school and am my kids only parent is something I think is okay.
I do school pictures because growing up my parents wouldn’t and it made me really sad! I would never have told them that, but it always made me feel poor and less than. Same with yearbooks. I get the cheapest package and he loves it. I could listen to you talk all day. Such an inspiration
Personally, I think self-care is important and if you enjoy it and benefit from it, do it. I think the purpose is to eliminate the stuff that really doesn't enhance you life and keep the stuff that does. If it is worth it - it's worth it.
I quit getting my hair done professionally years ago because I was frustrated with spending more than $100 each time I set foot in a salon and got bad results or results from "masters" that were no better than what I could do myself.
I'm a massage therapist and it van be life changing for people. However, as long as there is a self care, it may fill their needs.
I couldn't agree more with you with this list. Especially the souvenir subject. My husband is big on souvenirs until one day we got 2nd hand clothes from his sister's kids for our son and as I was unpacking the bag of clothes, there were all the T-shirts he bought for them with the tags. NEVER WORN! He looked at me and said; "You were right, I shouldn't spend money on souvenirs". Felt bad for him, but he learned his lesson. If the souvenir is not for you, don't spend the money on someone else.
I used to but I have definitely stopped. Its such a weird concept really, especially buying them for people who weren't there. "Here's a random ugly t-shirt to remember this place that you've never seen!" Like what? I buy myself things from places I go, but they're functional or distinctly decorative that I know ill love. My favorite art in my home is a small watercolor painting I bought from a street artist in Florence, but it doesn't have "FLORENCE" plastered across it 😂
Yeah, unless it’s something specifically for them (like they love art, so you get them a print of something traditional or locally made) or has a cool story to go with it, it’s probably not going to be used. My mother-in-law usually gets something from us because she likes getting rocks from different places, which is objectively neat and only costs the effort of looking. 😁
As someone who is a huge sufferer of allergies, I thought I couldn’t live without Kleenex. A few years ago, I switched to handkerchiefs. Best thing I ever did. When we think about it, if you go back years ago, our grandparents had to live without all of these things and they lived just fine.
I switched to handkerchiefs and stopped having the red raw nose all the Puffs ads promised to solve but never did.
I love my handkerchiefs. They rock.
My dad always had beautiful monogrammed handkerchiefs.
Our grandparents had more time to focus on more important things than frequently taking out trash full of disposable stuff. They often had to focus on more important things to survive. Worrying about not having tissues and paper towels was not on their list of critical concerns. I don't remember either of my grandparent's homes ever having paper towels, and tissues only made an appearance occasionally when somebody had a bad cold, and that one box would sit around half used until it the box and tissues turned yellow from age. 😄
Amen
I hired new photographers to take my kids' senior pictures and I highly recommend everyone do the same! They were so excited for the opportunity, such hard workers, and truly appreciated some money in their pockets. Not only did I get excellent photos at a great price, but I loved the chance to support local entrepreneurs!
My issue is finding things on sale and wanting to “save” money. However, now I ask myself “Do I have room to store it?”, “What would happen if I don’t buy it?”
This has helped a lot!
Exactly, there are times when I see something and think it's cute, but then I think, do I really need this or is it only going to add clutter, another thing is I think, okay, just because it looks pretty in the store doesn't mean it will look nice in my house. Will it go with my decor or look odd.
I live in a tiny home which is a huge reason why I went all reusable this way I have less to store. Instead of buying a bunch of tissues I have pieces of flannel material, washcloths and dish towels instead of paper towels. I also learned instead of buying a bunch of different products it's better to buy one multi-use because it's less to store. I know by Castile soap which can be used for multiple different things.
That's so tricky! I always ask myself "is this something that was ALREADY on my shopping list?" If not, it's actually not a savings at all!
I can’t even think about giving up Kleenex, we have bad allergies and my husband has issues with his eyes. We have Kleenex in nearly EVERY room. Perhaps if I could use real handkerchiefs, and get used to that it would be better for the environment and would save money. It’s certainly a consideration.
@@jacquiequam5791 switching from disposable tissues to making my own with flannel was the best switch I ever made! I blow my nose all the time due to allergies doesn't matter the time of year. My nose never gets irritated now and I get satisfaction I want to do the laundry unfold all the tissues back up knowing how much money I'm saving.
Our household couldn’t function without Kleenex! We have terrible allergies and nose-blowing is a year-round thing for us. Some of your suggestions I agree with, however, some things, like party supplies & cards, just bring joy. It definitely depends on the love language of the recipient.
Very interesting. I agree with you on most everything. Except bulk groceries and water. I'll tell you why. Emergencies. The only bill that is not set in my household is food. And there have been numerous times where there were medical bills, car repairs, the PANDEMIC, any emergency that came up where money was scarce... or weather was bad and food trucks didn't make it to the grocery stores, or people panic buying and stores were out of everything. Having bulk items saved us. And we didn't have to worry. PEACE is invaluable. Yes, it can be hard to store. But if you look for hidden areas like under beds, it can be done. Getting creative. And we organize it so we are constantly rotating the food so it does not go bad. Dried goods that last a year, vacuum sealing meats... learning how to make my own bread and other bakery items... that has helped our family so much and ended up saving in the long run. Because if there is an emergency, grocery stores will hike up their prices. Again... PEACE in knowing I am prepared.
I keep water (which doesn't go bad) and nonperishable food in sufficient quantity to take care of myself for two weeks. I label foods by year with a Sharpie marker, and the year before they expire I eat and replace them. One winter we lost power for a week, friends out in the county for up to three weeks (and if you are on a well, if you lose power you use water too). Otherwise, lots of good tips here.
100% agree. My stash of TP, canned goods, frozen meats and veggies, and other consumables got us through covid when I lost my income. It also meant I didn't have to fight for TP at the store!😅
Totally agree with you. I can’t count the times having groceries in the cupboard has saved us. Case in point, covid19 lockdowns in Australia
I live with my two cats. I always have catfood in bulk. And enough food for myself in storage that I can use for at least 3 weeks. When I get sick, get into the hospital or break my leg, then I have enough to care for my cats and myself. I don't want that someone who take care for my cats when I can't do it myself has to run to the store for food.
I would love to keep bottles of water, but I have heard about dangerous chemicals from the plastic bottle getting into the water.
Thank you for promoting local photographers!! As a Professional Photographer, it really makes sense to have families do all the pictures at once and in a location they love!
As always, I love all of your videos.
:)
That tip blew my mind! So much nicer to have the kind of photos she showed than those static, often awkward school shots!
We only use local or upcoming photographers! They are so affordable and always look amazing!
Y E S ! ! !
Here in the UK if you say “something has fallen off the back of a lorry” it’s slang for stolen 😂
I keep a basket of rolled washcloths in the kitchen near the table that we use as our napkins. they work so much better than paper and no waste. My husband often uses them to clean up messes, which used to bother me because they sometimes get stained, but they're just cheap little towels that I move to the rag basket if they get stained. And I appreciate his help in the clean-up! A pack of 18 washcloths costs about the same as 1 or 2 rolls of paper towels.
Souvenirs, I buy soaps made from whatever the local scent is. Lavender in France, lemon in Italy, olive oil soaps from Greece. No clutter and I get to relive a special moment.
Marley's Monsters reusable paper towels are basically flannel sheets material cut into squares and sewed on the edges. I stopped buying paper towels and looked into getting them but they are pricey $$! I was planning to throw away my daughter's ripped flannel sheets anyway so I just cut it into squares and honestly it doesn't fray so I didn't bother sewing the edges. I just keep them in a basket in my kitchen. They are really absorbent. 😁🙌
I keep old wash cloths and hand/kitchen towels. Works great,
I bought cloth napkins at yard sales and thrift stores on the cheap. I keep them in a basket on the counter. And kitchen towels are great for drying your hands and mopping up spills.
Costco shop towels are my go-to... super absorbent, cheap, & durable
I agree with this list 100%. I've never had a lot of money, and my mom thinks I'm crazy for not buying paper towels. I refuse to buy single use things that'll just end up in a landfill. I've also been using the same reusable bags for 15 years. I still love my skincare, but I wait for sales. Who needs to coupon when you're already saving tons of money by simply not buying what it feels like everyone else is?
Paper towels we can do without buttt they are nice when kids keep puking.
One way we’ve done away with greeting cards is journals! My husband and I each have a journal and we write in each others journal for special occasions as well as random days we want to leave a note of love. I’ve put photos in as well. I need to start ones for my kids as well.
That's a great idea!
I dont use a ton of paper products, but always nice to have that papertowel when a dog throws up or you need to clean up something equally as gross.
My dad, instead of buying a card for someone, adds $5 to a gift. I just love it! I will get myself a little treat or use it as a tip for someone instead of having a card from him sitting on the table for a week that then goes in the trash.
Such an adorably practical yet caring and generous Dad Move!! ; - D
I couldn't live without kitchen towel
LOVE that idea re cash instead of cards!!! ❤
@@s.c3773 same. And they clean up dog vomit just fine. Washing machine, baby! I use paper towels ONLY when getting animal fats off a pan (so I won't cause plumbing issues - fatbergs). Tons of bleachable white, sturdy, cotton hand towels and washcloths for everything else. Including replacing Kleenex. I've not bought a box of Kleenex in I think 2 years or so. Bidet means I buy waaaay less toilet paper.
Truth ! I do not want to clean up poop then put it to wash with other items. No way.
Wow, yes, this is one video I have a different opinion about, and mostly its not that I disagree with not buying things, its more that this is such an individual choice thing. You don't use kitchen gadgets, but for me, it makes my cooking fun and is part of my hobby list. Also makes things faster and easier. I like that you list your reasons for not buying certain things and it is good to THINK about what you are buying and make a decision based on your needs. One thing I never buy are meal kits. Every commercial talks about how inexpensive they are, and maybe for some its the only way they will put a real meal on the table. You get individual little tiny containers of seasonings. I just don't see the value. You can always buy things cheaper at the store, and if you need a tablespoon of a spice, and you have to buy a container of it, use it again and again. Thanks!
Thrift stores, yes! Cloth napkins, yes! Not buying in bulk, yes! Giving up an occasional massage, nope. :)
I’m with you on souvenirs, newspapers, expensive jewelry,extended warranties, lottery tickets and more. I have two cats and a dog so I won’t be giving up paper towels anytime soon. And I find with those it’s actually better to get the higher end brands because the cheaper ones don’t really work as well and you end up using more of them. Great video Cas!
This! Viva paper towels are so worth it.
My daughter is really into drawing and i found it was hard to keep up with the art clutter so i find that buying sketchbooks instead of loose paper is a great way to keep clutter down and not throw out pictures right away.
We take pictures of ours and put it in a Google photos album. Then put it in the "special filing cabinet" aka the trash. My wife is sentimental though so we do keep some of them.
Same! I'm an artist and my girls love to do art with me. Sketch books are great and I can throw out old ones if I want later
Sketchbooks are great and when you're finished and have lots of sketchbooks lying around you can make a scrapbook of the best drawings 🥰🥰
I tend to use shoe boxes to hold onto any art work that I want to keep from my 4 kids.
Started this recently with my youngest who would scatter paper EVERYWHERE from his art and gosh it has saved my sanity ever since. Our dollarstore has huge ones for a couple bucks and it totally contains his creativity.
I can relate to so many of these things. Diane in Denmark only buys tea towels as Souvenirs when she travels. And then she uses them in her kitchen. I think that is such a great idea. Thanks for the great video.
That's a great idea! I try to find something practical that I'd buy or use anyways. Tea towels are so useful! Tea, flower seeds (as long as it's not across international lines), journals (as long as I'll use them), olive oil (from Spain or Italy), and chocolate are all favorites as well.
I'm a housekeeper. So many of my clients' homes are stuffed to the brim, and they are elderly or ill and can't clean anymore. You can bet I clean my own home a little bit every day and it's easy because I've decluttered just about as much as I can. I love your videos because they are so close to my own mindset. One little caveat; a friend gave me a container of disposable wipes because she didn't particularly like the smell. They were a lifesaver when I was moving, I just cleaned my way out the door! Once I ran out, I haven't bought any more.
I just ordered a melon baller yesterday, and I use my salad spinner and rice cooker multiple times a week 😛 I understand that everyone needs these items, but I cannot live without any of these 😅
We stopped buying paper plates and napkins years ago. I haven’t been able to talk my husband into giving up paper towels yet. We generally don’t buy tissues either. Now, greeting cards- I love buying those. I have friends all over the world I exchange cards with because it makes us happy. 🤷♀️😊
I keep a few rolls of paper towels on hand for things like pet messes or sometimes for cooking. Otherwise, my family uses "unpaper towels" and reusable napkins from Marley's monsters. We put the dirty ones in a basket on the counter and just wash them with the rest of the laundry each week.
I agree about the greeting cards!!!❤
One thing about cards is that we stopped buying “gifts,” for people as presents and we just put money in a card from the dollar store. It works great for us and we aren’t cluttering up people’s houses with more stuff. Everyone like receiving cash!
Also, I second on the thrift store!! I get most my clothes at Goodwill and usually get the most compliments on the clothing from the thrift store than any other clothing pieces!
I agree! I get SO MANY compliments on my clothing from Goodwill! It's also just so fun to hunt for those great pieces you know won't shrink, wrinkle or fade after one wash!
@@Clutterbug I loved your comment emphasizing the clothing still looks good after being washed tons of times! Such a great point!! I love thrift stores!! Thanks so much Cas for all you do!! I also stopped buying kleenex for decades now... but tp we need, and why not multipurpose the stuff? Isn't the same thing only in on a roll vs a box? Keep being AWESOME!!!!!!
Depends on where you live about the thrifting. Thrift stores are super expensive where I live including Goodwill.
My grandma said “Money is always the right color and size”….loved that!
@@texaslaulie2565 haha yes! Literally laughing here! I think I'll be saying that myself now! 😁
I love many of the tips on here! I tend to keep the greeting cards from people, they are special, especially from those who have passed to have a special handwritten card from them is cherished but over the years they can really add up! For at least my husband and I , we started keeping a journal book together and on holidays or any day, we write a small messages to each other back and forth in the book. Saves a ton of money over the years on cards, the words are from the heart, not a card company, and its a memento/journal all in one book to cherish over the years. After seeing it somewhere (not an original idea) we just started this about a year and a half ago, and don't always remember to write in it, but we don't buy cards anymore either.
That sounds like a wonderful idea.
My son has kept birthday and Christmas cards for years. One day he decided to go through them all again and then put them in the recycling. How happy was he, found three lots of $50. How relieved was he they didn't just go into the recycling bin!
Totally agree on paper towels and kleenex. I like the cleaning supply simplicity, I'll be adopting that.
Definitely not a gadget person and consider myself fairly minimalist but I was hurt when you said salad spinner was clutter 😂😂😂 my family eats so much more salad because of it! It’s easy to cut and clean a whole head and use it all week long! Dry lettuce lasts so much longer!
I use my salad spinner all the time too. I’ve been known to use it to spin dry hand washable occasionally too. 😅
Not a gadget person myself but I'm a mini hoarder of cooking utensils (have an overflowing bucket with everything still fitting in it)
I have a salad spinner and I like it for spinning hand wash clothes. If you want to draw your lettuce, you can put it in a tea towel and spend that around in there and you have dried lettuce.
It's not clutter if it's used daily/weekly😊
I think if you’re using it regularly it’s okay. 😊 your family is benefiting from it❤
"If we need to blow our nose, which we don't very often" -- that's part is more likely what some people find weird! People with allergies can't imagine not constantly needing tissues, which is why we have them in every room of the house! 😅
I agree on most of this except for 2 things. I find it easier to save when I buy my essential food items in bulk. for example, a pack of chicken thighs costs $8-$21 at Walmart if you buy it weekly when I can get a large pack of 3 of those at Sam’s club for $21-$28. Not only it cost the same but the bulk will last me for 1 1/2 - 2 months when I divide them based on weekly consumption. And it leaves room (to spend) on the next month’s budget for other items. If I were to spend $22 weekly that’s $88 dollars a month on chicken which I can cut significantly by buying in bulk. Also, the plastic wrappers or parchment papers are essential for someone who is a baker. Baking or making sweets in advance so I don’t have to buy them from the store whenever there’s a potluck or parties. I make my own desserts and made my own dessert table for my wedding for much less than what people offer on Etsy. It all depends on your lifestyle and your priorities.
Great eco-friendly choices, Cas! But i love receiving greeting cards because i can display them for a couple of weeks and enjoy the feeling of people caring about me. I miss getting as many as I used to now that people text birthday wishes. Those are gone in an instant.
Glad to hear it- I make hand made cards and I wish more people liked them. I don't care if they recycle or trash them, I just enjoy making and giving them.
My family doesn't buy most of these things either but we do use parchment paper and foil intermittently and I bought my soft furniture (sofa, chair, mattresses) new because after raising my own kids, I have realized how often a kid's internal fluids end up on the outside of their bodies.
Hi Cas, I am a medical first responder, who work on the ambulance with a paramedic. I’m glad you are enjoying your course, I’m sure you will have the skills necessary if ever needed. Your videos are the highlight of my downtime, especially when we are first on scene to a accident etc..thank you for everything you do, from a fellow Canadian (Newfoundland). Keep being awesome 💕💕 23:41
I’m a retired nurse and was a medical first responder (EMT here) for a very short time. Thank you for your service!! 😃👍🏻
@@LilCraftyNook .
I appreciate this message SO much. It’s a tiny bit more effort to pack something in a reusable box or use a fabric towel instead of paper. It makes such a difference environmentally. Thank you for using your platform for this important message. I agree with everything. Thank you.
I agree with you on most! We do buy bulk food - but we have a very large pantry and an extra freezer. There's a whole backstory to this that I won't get into here. I make cards, write a letter in each. My most treasures items are letters from family/friends who are no longer here - to see their handwriting and reread their letters is something that I wouldn't trade for anything. I do it at least once a year for my other loved ones. Love your videos!
oh my gosh, I feel so normal after watching this video! So many things I don't buy that people think I'm crazy for. Though you got me in the kitchen department. I have two juicers - different sizes - for oranges, lemons, and limes. I do a lot of food preparation, from-scratch cooking, and baking so I actually use all my tools. Though, after 12 years of it, there are numerous things I've gotten rid of because I don't use them in my kitchen.
Same. We cook a lot so we have a lot of kitchen tools but I don’t buy anything I’ve dubbed as a unitasker. With the exception of my lemon/lime squeezer and my garlic press but I use them ALL the time. So I feel it’s justified.
I y p
May I ask what do you not purchase that others think you are crazy to not purchase? I live in Portland OR. People intentionally don’t buy like plates or deodorant or underwear, and it’s normal (i own all these things, but at one point in my life I did not). is it different for you?
100% agree on all of these things, not only does it save money, but also is so much better for the environment not creating so much waste. I’m often horrified when I see you tube videos where people use disposable / single use item every day in their houses where there is a re-usable alternative.
Thanks for sharing!
After watching a few of your videos I’ve started the process of decluttering a slim lining my cleaning products. I expecting thing to be a lot less stressful and a few extra bucks in my pocket. Thank you for being straightforward.
Great video as always.
Of the things that apply to my life (I have no kids, don't drive, and live in a rental so not responsible for repairs) I found that I already practice at least 90% of your remaining suggestions.
Even without providing me with new ideas, it is always comforting and validating to discover a like minded person.
I gotta tell you however, the like that I gave this video (although well deserved for the helpful hints) was actually 100% earned by your end story.
Your similar fascination with all things medical really resonated with me, and your tales of some of the overzealousness medical assistance considered for your 'patients' made me laugh out for the 1st time all day.
Please never stop the candid sharing of some of your finer, and less fine, moments as their humanity and humour is the kind of tonic that we all need.
You lucky duck! My allergies are terrible, I would use a small fortune in toilet paper a month 😂😂😂
Allergy family here, too. We gotta get the puffs with lotion, or our noses will bleed!
I thought the same thing lol. Sadly I buy the tissue boxes.
@@samanthahays4829 I can't use those cuz I'm weirdly allergic to Aloe Vera 😢 buying lotions & hair products I'd a huge challenge for me. I'm even allergic to Ivory soap & baby oil. 😢
My son has Terrible allergies 10 of 12 months, 6 yrs of allergy shots monthly and he still suffers😢 I would go though the largest pkg of toilet paper easily in a month, especially during April through October
Make sure you're buying antihistamines! I can't live without them in the high pollen seasons
I admire Cass so much for fixing her own appliances using UA-cam tutorials (!!!!), and for volunteering as a paramedic!! 🤩You rock, Cass! 💪Thanks for the frugality validation and great tips!
Definitely inspired me to try to fix stuff myself
Great list Cass. My freezer stopped working around 3 months ago and I didn't get to replacing it for a few days and so it went on.....I had a company come collect it to recycle and I'm still without a freezer and it's ok 😂. I live on my own so easier for me than a family I think. It's shown me I don't need something that I never thought I'd be able to do without!!
You are a breath of fresh air! I promise I’ve thought like this and still do. It’s just ends up being so much waste, if you don’t use it. But I’ve been talked into getting a lot of things, “we need/should have” from MIL and parents. We do have multiple kids, but I do regret joining the herd mentality & now we’re spending so much time decluttering & organizing things we don’t need or use often😏. Thank you 🙏🏾 for saying it out loud❤
Dear Cas, being a volunteer first responder is wonderful. I joined a volunteer ambulance co. here at 19 and spent the next 10 years helping people in crisis. It's not all about saving lives, many times it's more about relieving pain and anxiety. Best of luck with new "hobby" from New York state. ❤🎉
Good for you, Cassie! For some of us, massages are a necessity for health. I don't get relaxing massages. I get deep tissue massages that release the knots from the fascia. This allows me to continue being active. Regarding some other things, I'll just say you get what you pay for!
:)
I agree- I NEED massages for pain relief. I'm trying to cut back, but can't go more than about 3 weeks....
I live alone with four large dogs. They go through a lot of food, so, rather than throw away the 40 lb bag that their food comes in, I use it as a trash bag/can. I also use plastic shopping bags as trash bags for my smaller cans around the house. I haven't bought trash bags in years, also haven't bought paper towels in years, and I've only bought box tissues maybe three times in my life, I grew up using toiletpaper as tissues, that's normal in my family. 😆
Definitely going to be using a lot of these tips, thank you!
Quite a few of these things are on my list as well and it makes me so happy to hear how many things you can get by without missing! One of my favorite habits I've changed in souvenirs. I came to be so annoyed with them -- before I even became a minimalist! -- and now if we go somewhere new, I only keep an eye out for one unique Christmas ornament. I've always loved having ornaments that are more personal and varied instead of super commercial, and now when my husband and I decorate our tree, we reminisce about all of the places we've been together 🥰
Cas I'm so glad you put this video out. I'm 70 and almost everything you don't buy, I don't buy either. I have allergies, so I have Kleenex. But to be quite honest I would prefer to use cotton handkerchiefs. I'm really glad you told people about disinfectant wipes. Each of those wipes are 'single use plastic' that becomes garbage instantly, is hard on the environment and such a waste of money! We collectively don't benefit from the marketing or the clutter.
Thanks for the info on the wipes! That's about the only thing I do buy from this "don't buy" list, but I had no idea of how gimmicky they were! I use them to wipe off groceries before they hit my frig or cabinet just because of witnessing too many people sneeze, cough, pick their nose, touch the groceries, then put back on the shelf. I haven't been sick for decades (I'm 65) and thought it was the wipes! Maybe it's the power of thought?? ... or just eating healthy? Thanks again!
@lyndi9082 I heard someone say to use old cut up T-shirts as wipes with your own all purpose discenfectant spray. They can be thrown out or washed and reused.
I totally agree on almost every item. One thing that I have done with the Kleenex idea is making toilet paper covers for public rooms. Plastic canvas can be fashioned into decorative covers for the toilet paper. After the cover is made, twist the cardboard tube on the roll until you can pull it out. Then the TP can be pulled from the center. An oatmeal cardboard canister can be cut down, painted or wall papered or decoupaged or whatever to make a fun dispenser. (Only in public rooms.). Have fun with your kids or make it elegant for your guests who need a dispensers.
For cards, I used to keep mine and then a year ago I went through all of them and it was honestly so sweet to read through the cards that I had collected throughout the years, but after I read them I sorted them into a trash pile and a keep pile. There were some that had such sweet, sentimental thoughts, but I couldn't even remember who they were. Anyway, now I have a small box filled with cards that I absolutely love and the rest I either threw away or I tore off the front page (as long as it's not written on) and I use those instead if I feel like I want/should add a card with a gift. I reuse it or lose it, so I feel like it's a win-win. I also understand that keeping the cards could get unmanageable, but I have a specific holder for cards, so if that gets too full I know I have too many. It helps keep it in check. :D
Very interesting list! Many of the things you discuss, I think, can also be seen as not just “thrifty” but also good for the planet and not “buying” (haha) into our consumerism culture! I always enjoy your “thanks for staying to the end” stories and this one was really fun and interesting! I don’t know if they have a program like yours in our area, but I’d be totally interested if they do! Thanks, as always, for great content!
I love your line when you were talking about furniture, when you said, "Cass, you're 45, get some new furniture". :) What I can tell you, with 15 years jump start, is if you cringe at the price of new things, whether cars, furniture, whatever, I doubt that sensibility will change. We have the cash to buy new, and I still balk unless there's a really good reason behind it. And I'm good w/ that. Thanks for putting these ideas out there. Not all for all, but enough to get us thinking, right?
I still in love with the furniture I bought 35+ years ago. Everybody who sees it thinks it's new, if you buy good furniture, it will stand the test of time. Of course, I'm old so I don't like change, so I'm probably in the minority with keeping old furniture. By the way you can still buy my oak wheatback chairs, so I guess others think they are still beautiful, they are $400-$700 a chair now.
The biggest thing about that line that shocked me was that she’s almost 45 and doesnt look a day over 30.
Certain things are worth buying new - especially a mattress. If you buy wisely it will last many years. Filling in with older found or inherited pieces is wonderful … it makes your home uniquely your own … but definitely treat yourself to a new mattress. I kind of feel that way about a sofa, too - tho I admit I waited 20+ yrs to replace my last one!
@@chianti95 I'm with you on new for mattress if you can afford it, and maybe sofas too unless you have reupholstering skills or can pay for them. I got an incredible deal on a demo model of a cute sofa from Ikea that looked great and felt good in the store, but less than a week at home you could feel the history of all those butts taking a break from the Ikea maze! No squish in the cushions, and the springs are shot.
Used furniture is fine for hard goods, but not soft goods. I wouldn’t trust a sofa or a chair or what might’ve happened on it or been living in it, nope can’t do it, and definitely new on mattresses, definitely.
I was a first responder and storm spotter in my rural farming area for years. My medical skills were mostly utilized during the aftermath of severe storms. Bless you for being willing to step up when some of us age out of the ability to help.
My go-to souvenir are the pressed pennies. My parents never let me do them when I was a kid because "what will you do with them!?" Well, to show them that I still wanted them, I now glue them into patterns (a Mickey Head for Disney world, a shark for National Aquarium, a lighthouse for St. Augustine, FL, etc.) and paint the location and year on the board and hang them as art on my walls.
I love those pressed pennies!
I also love the pressed pennies and I found little special booklets to keep them in!
Great video! I agree with nearly everything. I keep a box of tissues next to my bed, because I don't want a roll of roilet paper on my bedside table. When I was a child - looooong ago - we "passed the cloth" instead of using napkins. Looking back on it, I know it's weird, but it was what we were used to doing. Also, I bake, so I have to have parchment paper. We even switched from plastic containers to glass ones with lids. Having absolutely no storage space in our apartment keeps us frugal. I stopped wearing make-up years ago, and I stopped dyeing my hair at age 60. (Who was I fooling?) Now, if I could just stop the deluge of greeting cards coming from my mother-in-law!
You hit the nail on the head. I don't buy any of these items either. I also don't buy make up. Not only does this save me money, it saves me time. I am currently saving up to buy me a new mattress - I do not buy things on credit and I do not own a credit card.
I’m from Philly, and when you said the car “fell off the back of the truck” I 😂. Because that term is used for stolen items. 😮 Occasionally people in the neighborhood would have a “pop up shop” with clothes and goods that “ fell off the back of the truck” and the prices were great! 😂😊❤
Philly in the house!! 😁
Means stolen in Australia too!🦘🦘🦘
Means the same in the UK, thought they’d bought a stolen car 😂
Same meaning in Finland 😁
I've heard the term used here in Canada, too, but not as readily.
This is easily the most interesting and helpful list of this kind I've encountered so far. Thanks for the tips that clearly have so much lived experience behind them.
Cas! You are NOT odd at all… I was dittoing everything you said, after 20 years of Mumming and making ALL the buying/hoarding mistakes! AND on top of saving money you are also doing your part to save the environment. Kudos to you x
Very sensible, very thrifty and VERY environmentally friendly, dear Cassie!!
Frugal 😊
I love that all of this is unintentionally environmentally friendly and climate friendly.
I am right there with you! I have things I refuse to spend money on....like manicures (I do my own) or massages (I don't like being rubbed, so this probably wouldn't work well for me) - but I also don't spend my money on things like cleaning supplies (which sounds weird even to me, but I use dish soap, vinegar, and/or baking soda with tap water for nearly everything,) makeup, expensive jewelry, brand name clothing, etc....one thing I do is I go to the local thrift store for all of my daughters clothes, b/c kids grow fast, and kids clothes cost like the same as adult clothing, which is ridiculous, so the thrift store has saved like thousands of dollars on my kids clothes alone! Another thing is we usually go to the library for new books rather than buy new books, the library is completely free, and you can renew your books several times before you have to return them. One thing I don't do that you could definitely do to save money is go to the college for things like haircuts, auto repair, or dining out at a restaurant....they don't charge nearly as much as professionals, and you give them the chance to practice their new skills.
I LOVE YOU! OMG...YOU ARE SO VERY ON POINT!Every episode I've watched has related to me in sooooo many ways. Thank you for being so honest and forth right! Love you...keep it going!!!!❤
I work for an ambulance service and I really commend you for signing up to help your local agency. We are always looking for help where I work and have a really hard time finding people. Super happy to hear your excitement and enjoyment of learning all about it. Stay safe
When we didn’t have running water for days during a bad snow/ice storm in TX, I was so grateful for our water bottles. We don’t need them for every day use, but I do think they’re good to have for emergencies & diaper bags.
Some of these ARE weird in the sense that most of us didn’t know it was possible to not by these things! This was a very eye-opening list - thank you for inspiring me to take a harder look into my shopping cart!
Great video. Very helpful. Thank you! Totally onboard with you regarding most things you opt out of, but Kleenex makes my life WAY better. Just a personal thing. Not having it bums me out, and having it makes me feel prosperous, organized, and cared for. Conversely, not having Kleenex and using toilet paper instead makes me feel poor, and uncared for. I have boxes of it all over my house, and they spark major joy. The other thing that makes a HUGE difference in my life is baby wipes. Discovered the baby wipes thing when my daughter was a toddler, and I was a single mom in college full-time, working part-time, and raising my baby 100% by myself. Baby wipes are AMAZING for a quick clean up of: bathroom counter, bathroom sink, bathroom floor, inside of drawers, cabinets, etc. Life changer I discovered 23 years ago and still use.
Love baby wipes! And Kleenex!
They also work in place of shout wipes.
My toddler wrote on my brand new microfiber sofa with a pen and baby wipes got it all out with minimal scrubbing. 4 years later you'd never know it was there.
Totally agree love baby wipes, they get mark's out of clothing, furniture, pretty much anything really, I always have them, been a great emergency clean up, even got spilled coffee out of a dress, while on our way to a special occasion, a wonderful save! When travelling there the first thing in my toiletries bag.
Funny thing about an extended warranty. Our first big purchase was a fridge. We got it with an extended warranty to 10 years (instead of 2). The very first day our normal (2 year) warranty expired, our fridge broke.
So we had to contact the manufacturer, they tried to push for a paid technician service, but luckily due to extended warranty, the service was free. The fridge has been working ever since with no fails for at least 11 years.
The same happened to our TV.
I frankly started thinking that manufacturers program their devices to fail after a certain period of time.
In my experience, it is worth getting it when buying something big and expensive
Okay...on my way to finally donating my cute little vintage glass juicer that I never used after owning it for 30 years😂 I've started taking pictures of things I don't use or want but held onto them thinking my kids might want. I text the pictures to my kids and it's almost always "no thanks". I think I'm finally realizing that they don't want a lot of memorabilia either.
I don't buy garbage bags for kitchen or bathrooms. I downsized all trach cans to Walmart size bags and it works out great. Haven't bought trash bags in at least five years.
In our Province of Manitoba, stores no longer have plastic carrier bags. You can purchase a fabric bag if you need to or a brown paper one.
@@Anagrams458 Same here in Alberta
Yes! I especially agree with your stance on using few cleaning supplies! There's a professional cleaner I watch here on UA-cam named Aurikatariina, and she uses two products to clean nearly everything: dish soap (for most things) and oven cleaner (for grime on surfaces that can take oven cleaner). So much cheaper and so much more effective.
Auri is amazing! I've been a professional cleaner and that is 100 percent true! Dish soap and oven cleaner and perhaps an acid based cleaner for lime scale is all you need
I’ve purchased so many granite cleaners ($$$) and various kitchen cleaners. I switched to dawn diluted with water and my granite countertops and kitchen appliances have never been so sparkly clean! Easy, cheap, and effective!
Dish soap, bar keepers friend, hydrochloric acid and recently I bought glass cleaner because we have hard water.. but that’s all I keep around. Oh and I do use toilet bowl cleaner because I haven’t found a replacement for that one yet.
Cas, what cleaner do you use?
@@charmaccents6278 I was wondering the same thing
Love this list! There are A LOT that I do buy, but, also A LOT that I don't buy. I love buying discounted or thrifted clothes and do not buy name brand any longer. Plus, I stopped buying expensive $10 coffees and make mine at home instead. And, we never eat "fast food" instead we go to a deli or grocery store and get healthy food fast, like a banana, or salad and sliced tri tip.
I agree with almost everything. I do buy a shot glass when I go somewhere fun. They are small and stack when not in use.
Cass, this is the best video I've ever seen about how to save some money. Practical advice. I've already started doing most of these things and it feels good. Maybe I can learn to use less aluminum foil, but I'll never give up massages!😂
If you love massages no need to give them up. It's healthy. They feel great. It's an experience and not a thing.
After watching one of your older videos, something clicked in my garage clean up. You gave me a great idea for using my rolling cart better-- full of junk. I also had a bunch of old dish tubs I was going to toss. It hit me that I could put my bigger tools-- drills, sander, saws, routers in the tubs and on the cart. Easy to access for my visual needs and a category that I could manage! I had been planning to spend money on a workbench. Win! Plus it made me feel so good.
I agree with like 80% of this list, food and water in bulk is good to have for emergencies. The pandemic and snow storms have taught me to have an emergency pantry when water and electricity has been cut off for days.
I also think some kitchen gadgets are very useful especially for people with disabilities and rice cookers can do a lot more than just cook rice. It can steam veggies, do stews, and cook meat too.
I agree to cut off certain things that are single uses and wasteful. Great video 😊
I agree! Paper products are a WASTE! Less bulk shopping 🤦🏽♀️Gotta have foil and zip loc bags BOTTLED water a must! You’re helping ME🫣🫣🫣🫢🤭NO NDC! THANK YOU FOR SHARING 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽
YES! I recently switched to cloth paper towels (from Walmart) and I love them. Also agree on the cellophane etc and the Kleenex. I do get massages, but that’s because it is a mental health thing for me and I have a good membership program. Lastly, I wish thrift stores had more plus sized clothing. All the ones I have been to in my town just have nothing in plus sizes. 😢
OH and I refuse to wrap presents in wrapping paper or gift bags. It makes no sense to me to give someone something wrapped in what they will immediately throw away. Definitely not socially acceptable, but I stick to my principles on it!
I think part of the challenge with plus size thrift finds is lower quality fabric on average combined with harder wear (thigh rub, for example), things struggle to survive long enough to make it to the thrift shop
When it comes to wrapping presents, you can reassemble the box so that the inside becomes the outside💖 The inside is usually a white or brown material so they won't know what's inside and it'll be a surprise 😉
I only get collectors spoons and magnets as a souvenir. I love looking at my spoon collection displayed in my dining room. I put the magnets on the fridge. Seeing them brings back wonderful memories. Both are easy to bring home after travel and don't cost much.
Mine are shot glasses, even though I don't drink. They only cost a couple of bucks wherever I go, but are always available at a gas station or something in a cute or quirky collectible for any city, state, or even attraction.
I love, love, love soooo much of what you said. I don't buy almost all of the stuff you just talked about. However, I did buy a new couch after using ours for 10 years. It was definitely time. I couldn't find any quality sectional sofas second hand and I absolutely love our new designer couch. I did buy a designer mattress, but purchased it at a deep deep deep discount that I'm extremely grateful for. Yes, I don't buy all the different cleaning products, new cars, disinfectant wipes, bottle waters, etc. I HATE waste. Its so cruel to our planet and leads to endless clutter in the home and such a waste of money. I do like designer clothes and makeup, but I usually don't buy them at retail costs. Thank you for making this video!
We've had the same mattress for 25 years! Is that gross ? I don't care- it's comfortable and I'm afraid a new one wouldn't be. I hate the idea of thing s going to the landfill, especially big things like furniture, appliances, and cars.....
I love buying coasters when I travel. They’re small, usually pretty cheap. I enjoy seeing the little reminders of trips and they’re useful.
I like getting magnets
@@naddee19 Mine are all over the refrigerator.
How awesome that you are taking a first responder course! It’s a wonderful way to serve the community you live in. My medical career started as an EMT. I then went on to paramedic then nursing school. Your personality will fit well in this role. It’s so important to be kind and caring and nonjudgmental of which you’re all!
I’m with you on the Kleenex. I only buy it if someone in the house has a cold 😷! I’m a nurse and listening to you get so jazzed about all things medical made me smile 😊. You’ve got this!
Well done for volunteering! I volunteered as a first aider, felt useful & now know what to do in an emergency. Such valuable knowlage to have.
Hope you continue enjoy the process. 💖
Thank you for validating my decisions. I’m tired of people judging me for making minimalism decisions. You are the best!
Good Morning Cass. I Love your channel!!! I have Decluttered because of your advise. And... I feel sooo much better!!! Just recently, I went through 5 Large Bins and 2 small ones( Bins from Costco) They were all filled with Holiday Decor items. I MAJORLY decorated for Holidays when My Children were young...They enjoyed! Then for my Grandchildren...When they were younger, they enjoyed! Now... No one is interested😒!!! So, I purged down to 1 bin and will decorate only Minimal...Extremely Minimal! All of the items that my Parents had, my Siblings and I LOVED our Parents old belongings...So many Memories. Only 2 of my Children Love 1 or 2 things from us. When my Parents passed, We all had sooo much to clean out. My Daughter told me that she would put all of my things on the Lawn and have a Yard Sale: "EVERYTHING $1.00😁😁😁😁Not each...EVERYTHING! I am Minimal now for the Children's sake. This Video I rethought the Bulk; Napkins and Toilet Tissue. My cleaning Product is Vinegar, Water, Dawn, and Essential Oil... Spray Bottle, Shake, and Clean😁. The others you mentioned, I don't spend money on. In the old days with my parents, we always shopped at the Thrift Stores and I carried that Tradition on when my Children were young...3 Boys... "Hand me Downs"😉. The Medical Field is Awesome!!! Congratulations!!! You have a Beautiful Family! God Bless You All😍.
So true about the kitchen stuff and clothing!! Currently decluttering to go to thrift store
I LOVE SOUVENERS. Set stuff out at work or home, makes me remember the good time I had.
Enjoyed your video. My husband and I began doing many of the things you shared from early in our marriage. Now our grown children are passing these frugal tips along to our grandchildren. There is one thing that we had to change. I was diagnosed with sleep, apnea a number of years ago. Using a CPAP creates an environment where my nose is constantly windburned. My skin is sensitive, and it can be painful. I cannot use any type of barrier, because that interferes with my nasal mask. And as you will probably find out, older people have to blow their noses a lot! I’m not sure why it is, but the stereotype of grandma, with a tissue up her sleeve, and grandpa with the big hanky, that he drags out of his pocket… Well, those stereotypes are for a reason. When you get to be our age, you just have to wipe your nose more. In order to help preserve the skin around my nose, I have had to resort to lotion enhanced tissuesIt has made a great deal of difference to my comfort, so this is something that I continue. I know you’re not judging, but I just want to remind people that sometimes we don’t know the whole reason why someone does something that we think is unnecessary. Thanks again for your wonderful videos!
I am 75 and agree with this. Tissues are in every room.
I do love nice hankies, too.
Aww my grandma always stashed tissues in her sleeve 😊
Cass-BRAVO for taking the first responder class!🎉👏👏👏👏👏
🙋♀️ I have worked in as a RN in Critical Care areas for >30 years. We have amazing hospital technology available today. HOWEVER many patients survival and/or long term health is dependent on bystander or early 1st responder interventions in the first 5 minutes of an emergency. You can truly change your family and communities future by being prepared for emergencies. ❤ Las Vegas RN
I just listened to you for the second time because I really like what you shared and want to implement myself.
I love your very helpful tips and your very positive, sunny disposition. I always feel like we are sitting & having coffee. Thank you soooo much✌️
You're so welcome!
I also thrift my stuff it’s one of my hobbies. Plus I’ve already know what my style so it’s much easier to shop. It was hard to tell people that I was thrifting because they were all judgy and what not. It’s good to know I’m not alone on this one.
Always remember your ABCs - Airways, Breathing, Circulation.
First aid courses are always fun and USEFUL. Kudos to you taking the St John's course and having "save a life" on your bucket list 👏🤩
I'm just like you! So glad to find a person with the same ideas! Much love!
Oh I just ran across this today, awesome I agree totally on things you don’t buy!! I don’t buy most of these things! You are awesome glad you have this! Maybe people will stop spending $ on these items that are a totally a BIG waste!!❤❤
Agree with so many of these. I’ll buy a sticker of a new place we visit and then stick that on one specific nice board for a sticker collage in our laundry room, keeps the memory and brightens up a kinda drab space. We also still get a newspaper because it is a family activity. Our kids read it over breakfast, too, and we generally discourage tech use right away in the morning for them.
We don’t pay for haircuts except for my husband. I give haircuts to our five kids and myself.
Hurray for you for encouraging your children to read newspapers. There's a wealth of information and entertainment in them that somehow doesn't make it online.