11 Things I Stopped Buying That Saved Me SO Much Money

I used to think saving money meant making big, dramatic changes. But really it came down to the small, everyday things I didn’t even think about. The kind of purchases that felt normal and not a big deal. But when I started cutting a few of them out (or just doing them differently), I realized how much money was quietly slipping through the cracks. These are the things I stopped buying to save money…that ended up saving me hundreds without making life feel restrictive. Plus one that I’m not ready to give up just yet (but you might be!) because I’m human. 🙂

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Things I Stopped Buying to Save Money

Frugal living for me, being The Curious Frugal, has never been about cheaping out.

I still splurge on the things I love.

I live a decadent life in some areas, while cutting out on things that aren’t important to me by being more intentional with spending.

Here are 11 small things I stopped buying to save money (or started being more intentional about buying only once-in-a-while):

1. Pre-Cut or Pre-Packaged Food

Pre-sliced fruit, bagged snacks, and convenience items cost way more than doing it yourself.

I told myself it really doesn’t take that long to slice an apple for my daughter’s lunch.

Skipping convenience foods can save around $20–$50 per month ($240–$600 a year).

2. Trendy Clothes I Didn’t Really Need

Buying things just because they were in meant I had a closet full of stuff I barely wore.

Not even because I didn’t like the clothes I bought – I just had too much.

There are only so many occasions you have to wear a wedding guest dress when you’re past your twenties…I didn’t need as many dresses as I had.

This is one of the biggest things I stopped buying to save money.

Being more intentional with buying clothing can save $50–$150 per month ($600–$1,800 a year).

3. Random Home Decor

Those little decor pieces added up quickly, and didn’t always stick around long.

Plus then you have to store all those little knick-knacks.

I have a kid and kids naturally increase clutter if you’re not careful. I stopped buying random home decor to save money and cut down on overall house clutter.

Cutting back here can save $20–$80 per month ($240–$960 a year).

4. Extra Streaming Subscriptions

It’s easy to forget how many subscriptions you’re paying for.

Sometimes I sign up for extra streaming services seasonally (I like watching Wimbleton and hockey playoffs but not a lot of other sports), but it’s easy for me to forget to cancel once those seasons are done.

Dropping just a few streaming subscriptions can save $20–$60 per month ($240–$720 a year).

5. Things I Stopped Buying to Save Money: Takeout Out of Habit

I noticed that my takeout frequency was increasing.

It wasn’t just for special occasions anymore. I started defaulting to takeout when I didn’t feel like cooking.

Cutting back even slightly on takeout can save $100–$300 per month ($1,200–$3,600 a year).

6. Cheap Items That Needed Replacing

Buying the cheapest option often meant buying it again soon after.

This could be for any of those things we need to replace – a phone case, a pair of kitchen scissors, all those random things that help our lives run.

For example, years ago I replaced our cookware from non-stick to this higher-quality brand that is also better for your health.

Choosing better quality (or buying less) can save $20–$70 per month ($240–$840 a year).

7. Duplicates of Things I Already Had

Overbuying groceries, toiletries, or household items I didn’t need added up quietly.

This one I did a lot!!

I have so many bins of lotions, shampoos, makeup, makeup remover wipes, etc. Even many extras of things like toothpaste and toothbrushes.

I had to start checking my own house before I headed to the store for many household items.

Cutting down on duplicates was a big category for me of things I stopped buying to save money.

Being more aware can save $15–$40 per month ($180–$480 a year).

8. Impulse Checkout Add-Ons

These little “while I’m here” purchases are easy to justify, but for me they were too constant.

Now in stores like Target I’ll literally walk straight to the checkout without turning my head.

That way I don’t see all the little add-ons they try to tempt you with (because they do work on me if I look at them).

Cutting out last-minute impulse buys can save $30–$100 per month ($360–$1,200 a year).

9. Subscriptions I Forgot About

Free trials and unused apps are sneaky.

I went from the free trials of my chess, Duolingo, and meditation apps to the paid versions, because I was tempted by all the delicious-sounding added features.

I’ve noticed that I don’t even use the upgraded features enough to justify paying for the pro versions of any of them.

Cleaning these up can save $10–$40 per month ($120–$480 a year).

10. Name Brands by Default

Switching to store brands in certain categories barely changed my life, but helped my budget.

This can save $30–$100 per month ($360–$1,200 a year).

11. Shopping Without a Plan

Going into stores (or online) without a list almost guaranteed overspending.

I prefer ordering groceries online because I can order exactly what I need and I’m not as tempted to add impulse buys to the cart.

I can ignore those suggestions they give you as you’re about to check out online, but walking by them in person is a whole other story.

Simply planning ahead can save $50–$150 per month ($600–$1,800 a year).

One Thing I Might Stop Buying to Save Money (But Not Just Yet)

Drinks on the Go

Coffee runs and quick drink stops feel small in the moment, but they do add up fast.

This is an area I splurge on and adds a lot of happiness to my life, so I won’t be cutting back to save money in this category very much.

Cutting back or making drinks at home can easily save $60–$120 per month (that’s $700–$1,400 a year).

How Much Could These Things I Stopped Buying to Save Money Actually Save?

If you look at these changes individually, they might not seem life-changing.

But when you start stacking even a few of them together, the numbers get a lot more interesting.

Let’s say you only cut back in a handful of areas:

Drinks on the go: $80/month
One or two subscriptions: $30/month
Less takeout: $150/month
Fewer impulse buys: $50/month
Switching some name brands: $40/month

That’s already around $350 per month, or $4,200 a year.

And that’s without cutting everything.

The point isn’t to cut out every little joy or make life feel restrictive.

It’s just noticing what’s not really adding value, and giving yourself permission to do things a little differently.

Share in the comments if there is an area where you feel like you could cut your spending to save money.

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