20 Things I Stopped Buying as a Minimalist

I used to believe that having more means living better. I mean that having more clothes, more gadgets, and of course, more shopping. But my life felt heavier. My house was cluttered, and my money was tight.

One day, I discovered minimalism, and it changed everything. That lifestyle saves me money and brings me peace. It’s not only about getting rid of stuff – it’s about picking up what is truly valuable for you. 

And I’m here to share 20 things I stopped buying as a minimalist. You will find out how much lighter your life becomes once you let go of the extras.

20 things I stopped buying as a minimalist

1. Impulse Buying

If there’s one habit that quietly drains our wallet the most, it is impulse buying. It is sneaky, and you won’t recognize how much you spend until things fill up in your house. 

I used to tell myself, “It’s just a little treat”. And I kept buying items without a plan and for nothing. They are stuff that I don’t need. I just bought them because I feel excited or bored.

Now, before I buy anything, I ask myself:

• Do I truly need this?
• Is this item adding value to my life or just temporary excitement?

Most of the time, the answer is No. 

Start with impulsive buying if you’ve just started your minimalist journey. It’ll be one of the most freeing things you’ve ever done.

2. Designer Handbags & Shoes

We all know that designer labels are much more expensive than their actual value.

But why do we still want them?

It’s because we believe that a luxury handbag or a pair of statement shoes can make us feel more important. 

Alert: People do not care as much about what you’re carrying as you think. 

So, I chose to stop chasing brand names. I just bought practical and timeless things.

Give yourself a challenge: Stop buying new clothes for 6 months or a year. Utilize what you have in the wardrobe and see how fun with the mix-and-match game. 

Trust me — Confidence is always more stylish than any designer item.

3. Clothing For Special Occasions

I used to make this mistake — big time. Whenever there is a wedding or a work party, I rush out and buy a brand-new outfit. But most of the time, I only wear it once and then let it sit in the closet for months. 

It is not only wasteful of my money, but also of our planet. And here is what I do instead when I shift toward minimalism:

• Check your wardrobe first: You can create many fresh outfit combos from what you own. Get stuck in ideas? Turn on Pinterest, not a shopping cart. 
• Borrow or rent: I often try to borrow from my friend or my relatives if nothing works. Renting is also a great solution that saves you thousands of dollars.
• Thrifting shopping: You can find many cool items at thrift stores, which are much cheaper than new ones.

In case you must buy brand new clothes, make sure to stick to a piece you can wear again and again, not a one-time thing.

4. Beauty & Makeup Products

It doesn’t mean you have to stop your daily makeup. But do you realize that your bathroom is overflowing with half-used products? – Self-tanner, body scrubs, or remover wipes – they are not necessary. 

How To Change:

Focus on taking care of your skin instead. Healthy skin doesn’t need a lot of makeup to look good. Then, you only need the basics: lipstick, mascara, blush, neutral eyeshadow palette, concealer, and powder foundation. 

This will help you save time, money, and effort for your makeup routine every day.

5. Watches & Jewelry

I’ve stopped buying trendy jewelry and timepieces since I follow a minimalist lifestyle. I instead limit myself to a few classic, simple pieces. I have a delicate necklace nearly every day, a pair of small gold hoops, and a watch that goes well with everything.

Trust me – You don’t need a huge jewelry collection to feel put together. In fact, having fewer pieces makes getting dressed so much easier. No more clutter in my room, and no more wasting time choosing the right items.

6. Professional Haircuts

How about cutting your own hair?

You only need a pair of haircutting scissors and a simple tutorial on YouTube for this.  

It usually costs $80/visit for a woman’s haircut. We typically go every 6 or 8 weeks. And it means that you will save $500–$600 a year just by trimming your hair at home. 

Since I keep my hair one length, it’s extra easy for me to manage. Of course, if you love more complicated styles, you should go to a salon. 

I also stick to my natural hair color. You know, color-treated hair care is no joke – about $300 a session.

7. Takeaway Coffee & Tea

My morning routine was stopping by my favorite coffee shop, and about $6 for a cup didn’t seem like a huge deal at the time.

However, I was shocked when I added it up. Even just grabbing a coffee 3–4 times a week was costing me over $800 a year.

And honestly? It was just a habit, and most of those drinks no longer tasted all that great.

I now make my own tea and coffee at home. I bought my favorite ground coffee and an espresso machine. It not only saves me money, but it also slows down and gives purpose to my mornings.

8. Online Food Delivery

This is a habit hard to break. It feels awesome to get your favorite meal at your doorstep in 30 minutes after a long, exhausting day. 

Let me show you: 

A $12 meal will turn into $25 (plus delivery fees, tips, and service charges). And it all costs me over $1,500 a year on takeout – not a small number, right?

My Solution:

I enjoy cooking simple and easy meals at home and limit online food delivery to rare occasions. I also learned to make some of my favorite takeout dishes. This saves me tons of money and makes me feel healthier.

9. Organic Groceries

Okay, I used to be willing to pay double for the organic avocado. But over time, I realized two things: one, my grocery bills were sky-high, and two, not all organic labels mean what we think they do.

I did some research and know that several fruits and vegetables—such as pineapples, avocados, and onions—are naturally low in pesticides.  Thus, it was not essential to spend more on organic versions. 

I now spend a little more on organic by sticking to the “Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen” list.

Guess what?

I’ve saved $800 and $1,000/year (Wow!). I still eat healthy and no longer stress over my grocery bill.

10. Smoothies & Protein Shakes

Instead of buying your favorite smoothies or shakes, make them by yourself. It’s super easy to make the same thing at home (if not better), but much cheaper. 

My tips: Store some frozen fruits, spinach, and protein powder in your kitchen. It takes only 5 minutes to make a smoothie. Moreover, you can adjust the added sugars and treat yourself whenever you want.

11. Fresh Flowers

Let’s be real… fresh flowers don’t last. Even a $15 bouquet once a week will count up to $780/year. Plus, I hate to clean those smelly vases just after a few days. 

So, instead of fresh flowers, I choose dried flowers or small potted plants. They last longer, need less maintenance, and still bring a cozy vibe to my space.

12. Home Decor

One of the biggest reasons I embrace minimalism is that I hate cleaning. More home decor means less space and more cleaning. 

Now, I just focus on a few versatile and practical pieces that can keep things organized. My home feels calmer, cleaner, and more like “me”. See what? “Less is more”.

That’s when you give time to more valuable things, like hobbies or a side hustle to earn more extra income (Here are some tools & resources you may need)

13. Dryer sheets & Fabric softeners

This one might surprise you, but I completely stopped buying dryer sheets and fabric softeners. These products contain chemicals that can harm your skin and health.

Now, I use simple wool dryer balls instead. They’re natural, reusable, and help reduce drying time (this saves on my energy bill). 

If you’d like some good fragrance, add some essential oil drops. It’s cleaner and better for the environment.

14. Candle & Air Fresheners

I began researching what’s actually inside those products a few years ago, and it shook me out.

Many popular candles contain chemicals that are bad for your health and the quality of the air in your home.

I now keep things simple by using flameless LED candles to create a warm vibe. To naturally freshen my space, I use an essential oil diffuser. 

It’s much safer, cleaner, and easier for my wallet. Moreover, wax spills and burned-out wicks are no longer an issue. Complete win!

15. Plastic Tupperware

A few years ago, I decided to ditch plastic Tupperware for good. Yep – they are lightweight and super convenient. However, they pose many health risks and harm the environment. 

Solution?

I switched to using glass containers, and I love them so much. It’s safer to reheat leftovers in a glass (than in plastic). You can also feel free to toss them in the dishwasher without worrying about them warping.

The best part?

Glass containers don’t hold on to stains or weird food odors and are extra easy to clean. Plus, they look much nicer in the fridge or pantry while keeping everything organized.

16. Magazines & Books

I used to be addicted to glossy magazines and books. But over time, they started to take over my space. Most magazines would end up gathering dust, and I don’t have time to read them all. 

And here are my actions:

• Sell used books: Yep – you can sell them on Facebook Marketplace or Bookscouter to quickly clear your space. 
• Use digital version: Kindle e-reader is now my favorite choice. If you want to listen to podcasts and audiobooks, use Audible. 
• Borrow books from the library: If you really want to read, why not borrow them from your local library? This saves money and keeps your home clutter-free.

Know what? I even created a blog to sell my old books on it. Not too hard to start a side hustle, right?

17. The Latest Gadgets

Admit it – Who doesn’t like a new sleek phone?

But the truth is, that chasing the latest tech is extremely expensive and a never-ending cycle. Why would you need to buy a new phone while your old one still works well?

To escape that temptation, I follow a few simple rules below:

• Wait at least 3 years before buying a new phone/laptop/TV/ or camera. You will be surprised by how long they can last.
• Sell or trade old gadgets before buying something new
• Replace electronics only when they stop working

18. Expensive Phone Plan

Why do you have to pay so much for a service that you can’t fully use?

Unlimited data, unlimited calls, and sky-high monthly bills?

I downgraded to a basic phone plan that suits my actual needs. I use Wi-Fi at home, at work, and in most public spaces. So, I rarely go over my data limit. 

I also cut out unlimited entertainment bundles that I never used. And I haven’t missed a thing with this change.

19. Traditional Gym Membership

You don’t need a fancy gym or complicated machines to stay active. One inexpensive method you can turn to is to try free YouTube workout videos. Or else, you can use some paid apps that are much cheaper than a Gym membership.

In the long run, there are some pieces of equipment that I recommend you invest in to practice right at home: 

• Exercise mat/ Yoga mat 
• Adjustable dumbbells (perfect for small living spaces)
• Good sneakers for running outdoors 
• Resistance bands (great for resistance training)
• Core sliders 
• Doorway pull-up bar (easy for storage)

20. Streaming Platforms & Cable TV

Let’s see — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and even cable TV on top of that – we don’t watch that much. The fact is that most of us stick to a few favorite shows and movies, which really waste money and time. 

And guess what?

I canceled cable TV completely and all the extra subscriptions. I share a streaming service with my family to reduce expenses. 

This simple change now saves me around $700 a year — and surprisingly, I don’t miss it at all.

Final Words

One of the greatest choices I’ve ever made is to live with less.

Begin modestly. Start small. Pick one thing to stop buying this week. Then another. And observe how soon your life starts to feel more relaxed, lighter, and uniquely yours.