50 Things To Stop Buying To Save Money in 2024

If you notice your bank account depleting more than you’d like you may wonder what things you can stop buying to save money. 

The price of everything is a lot higher these days and one way to make your funds go further is to take a look at what you are spending money on today. 

Not only is this a good move for your bank balance, but you’ll notice that many of these items to stop buying are also good for the environment. So, it’s a win/win – kinder to you, your sanity and the planet.

Below you’ll discover there are many things you may currently buy that are costing you more than they need to. There are also purchases that can be eliminated altogether.

I’ve broken down this list of things to stop buying into the following categories:

• Grocery store
• Personal items
• Household items
• More things to stop buying

Things To Stop Buying At The Grocery Store

1. Pre-cut fruit and veggies

Not only are pre-cut fruits and vegetables more expensive, they go bad faster too. Instead of buying pre-cut, spend 30 minutes cleaning and chopping your produce on shopping day and then store them in the fridge. 

This way you have the convenience and you’ve got some extra money in your pocket too.

2. Shredded Cheese

This is another example of paying more money for convenience, and like the pre-cut produce, shredded cheese spoils much faster than buying a block of cheese. 

3. Granola

Homemade granola is not only much healthier – it tastes way better too. Buying granola at the grocery store can add up, so why not try making your own? Try my favorite homemade granola recipe. You won’t regret it!

4. Salad Dressing

Store-bought salad dressing is way overpriced especially when you can make it yourself in a matter of minutes. 

Grab a mason jar and mix 2 parts olive oil with one part vinegar. Give it a shake and voila – salad dressing! To add a little more flavor you can also add in a little dried mint or oregano, salt, pepper and a drop of mustard.

You’ll find that homemade dressing is not only more cost-effective but tastes a ton better too.

5. Bottled Water

If you buy bottled water – please stop now. It’s harmful to the environment and simply not needed. Get yourself a good reusable water bottle and fill it at home before you go out.

6. Brand Names at the Grocery Store

Look for no-name brands or store brands instead of buying big brand names. You’ll save a good amount of money doing this. You could even find some superior products that taste better!

Tip: Look up and down! The big-name brands have the main real estate in the aisles, but if you look at the very top and bottom shelves you’ll find some alternative brands that often cost less.

7. Imported Produce

Stick to local, seasonal produce where possible to keep your spending down. This can be a little more challenging in a colder climate, but much easier to do in the spring, summer and fall. 

If it is winter, plan the base of your meals on local produce such as apples, potatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots, etc, and also check out these cheapest foods to buy at the grocery store.

8. Coffee Pods/K Cups

Like anything that is single-serving, it simply costs more. Not to mention, many of these pods can not be recycled, so steering clear of them is a good idea. 

As an alternative, try a refillable single-serve coffee maker like this super affordable Black & Decker machine. We bought this in early 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic and it’s still going strong.

9. Premade Meals

This includes frozen meals. This can be tough if you rely on pre-made meals for those busy nights, but if you are really committed to saving money, this is a good one to stop buying. 

Instead do some meal prep on the weekend and aim to make two big one-pot meals such as soup, stew, chili, or curry.

If you have leftovers you can freeze them to warm up in the future (for those busy nights), or just have them as leftovers on nights you don’t want to cook.

10. Too Much Food

Food waste is a major problem in the world. According to Feeding America,

“Each year, 80 million tons of food is wasted in the United States. That’s the same as 149 billion meals. And over $444 billion in food is thrown away each year. Shockingly, 38% of all food in America is wasted.”

These stats are appalling, especially with all of the hungry people in the world. So, do your part and don’t purchase too much food. 

You might not need that Costco membership if you find it challenging to eat massive quantities. After all, it’s only a deal if you need it and consume it.

11. Snack Size Food

If you have kids you probably have a good amount of snack-sized food at home. Yes, these snacks have cute packaging that your kids love, but you are paying for that.

Instead, get yourself some snack-sized reusable containers and fill them up yourself. If you want to make them cute for your kids, there are lots of super cute and colorful containers out there.

12. Pre-made pasta sauce

These are convenient for sure, but also pricey. Instead, why not make a big batch of simple pasta sauce you can keep in the freezer?

My easy pasta sauce: 1 jar crushed tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic finely chopped, 1 chopped onion, 1 finely grated carrot, plus salt and pepper. Saute the onion, then carrot and garlic, add the tomatoes and let simmer for 10 minutes. Here is a similar pasta sauce recipe that will get you started.

Personal Items To Stop Buying

13. Makeup remover wipes

Convenient, yes. Bad for the environment and your wallet, also yes. In many cases, in order to save money we need to let go of some convenience items. 

Instead of makeup remover wipes, buy a bottle of face wash and simply use a face cloth. I find this gets all of the makeup off properly too.

14. High-End Makeup

The beautiful packaging, retail set-up and advertising are what you’re paying for  and the extra cost does not necessarily mean a better product. So, look for some more affordable makeup lines and test them out. 

Tip: Also look for products that can be multi-purpose. For example, I’m a big fan of this Milk lip + cheek stick. This lasts me a while since I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but there are more affordable options too. Or, if you want to spend less, you can also use your lipstick as a blush – which I’ve been doing for years.

15. Expensive Skin Products

Instead of spending a ton on skin cream, find a good quality moisturizer that you can afford. Then focus on drinking lots of water and eating a healthy diet. Remember, it’s what you put in your body that shows on your face.

Also keep coconut oil on hand which is an excellent moisturizer, especially in the winter months when things get dry.

16. Shaving Cream

For women, soap and water are all you need. For men, you do need shaving cream to protect your skin or if you want to try a beard, they are more popular than ever!

17. Clothes That Don’t Fit

I’m someone who fluctuates in size and sometimes I buy something that doesn’t fit in the moment. I have promised myself that I will stop doing this. As it’s a waste of money. If this is you, I highly encourage you to do the same. 

After all, you might be holding onto that item of clothing for a while before it fits and you might not even like it when it does.

18. Clothes That Don’t Match Anything Else

You find that cute flowery top but it doesn’t match anything else in your wardrobe. Don’t buy it. As you’ll end up having to purchase another item to match the top. Instead, always shop your closet first and aim to buy things that match multiple pieces in your wardrobe.

19. Anything Designer

This goes without saying. It’s a waste of money. If you do want to buy designer clothes, however, check out some local thrift stores – especially in expensive neighborhoods. You’d be amazed at the gems you can find for a fraction of the price.

20. Manicures/Pedicures

Manicures and pedicures are pretty expensive, especially if you go on a regular basis. Do them yourself instead. 

21. Fast Fashion

I won’t name any stores, but you’ve noticed when you buy cheap clothing that the quality isn’t great. There may end up being a small hole after a couple of washes or the item doesn’t fit you quite right. 

Think of all the money you spend on fast fashion in one year – in fact, go back and calculate it if you can. Then look for a good quality brand for future purchases. Aim to buy classic pieces over super trendy so you can wear your purchases for a long time.

22. Books

I’m a huge fan of physical books, but new books can be pricey. So instead of buying new, you can buy second hand or get them from the library.

Another option is to use the Libby app. It connects to your local library and you can listen to thousands of audiobooks or read eBooks. It really is amazing and completely FREE! Just sign up for a library card and you can get started.

Household Items To Stop Buying

23. Dryer Sheets

If you already use fabric softener, dryer sheets are overkill. All you need are some reusable dryer balls. Perfect to reduce static. 

Also, think about hanging your clothes to dry instead of putting them in the dryer. You can save some good money this way.

24. Multiple Cleaning Products

Have an all-purpose cleaner? Perfect. This is all you need. You do not need a separate clever for the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc. 

There are also loads of recipes online to make your own cleaning products – usually consisting of vinegar. Save one of your empty cleaning product spray bottles to get started.

25. Paper towels

Paper towels are expensive and they keep going up in price. They also take up a lot of space and are bad for our planet. As an alternative, try Swedish Dishcloths. These are washable, reusable, and 100% biodegradable when you are eventually finished with them. 

One pack replaces up to 85 rolls. That’s a lot of money saved!

26. Cleaning Wipes

I think the pandemic increased the use of cleaning wipes, which are expensive and of course bad for the environment. Instead, use the DIY all-purpose cleaning alternative mentioned above.

27. Plastic Sandwich Bags

Plastic sandwich bags and zip-top bags can add up. Why keep purchasing these one-use food savers? Instead, choose a reusable option you can use over and over again.

28. Plastic Wrap

Again – a waste of money and bad for the environment. Try some other options such as beeswax wraps or just use a container.

29. Plastic Containers/Tupperware

Plastic containers never last, in fact, I just had to throw one out yesterday as it broke in the freezer. So instead opt for good quality glass containers. 

30. Seasonal Dishes

Say no to Halloween, Christmas or Easter dishes. Not only do these take up a ton of space when you’re not using them (most of the year) they are an expense that is not needed.

31. Kitchen Gadgets

Other than a couple of good quality knives, nothing else is needed – other than my favorite kitchen tool – the Classic Microplane.

So stay clear of those one-use kitchen tools.  I’m talking about garlic presses, electric wine bottle openers, pasta measurer, egg slicer (the list goes on)!

32. Multiple Streaming Services

Instead of paying for multiple streaming services each having their own monthly fee, pay for one only. 

Watch what you want and then cancel and try another streaming service. You can even just sign up for a free trial and cancel before the trial is over.

33. Cable TV

Why pay for regular TV these days when I bet you never watch it? You can stream a lot of shows online with a streaming service or if you want to catch the daily news, listen to the radio, or read online.

34. Disposable Plates

There are a lot of people out there who pay for disposable plates and dishes. Not only is this horrible for the environment, but it’s costing you additional money. Sure it might not be that expensive, but in the long run, these little things really add up.

So use your dishes and simply put them in the dishwasher – or wash them by hand. It’s the pots and pans that end up taking longer to clean up anyway, so this convenience isn’t making things that much easier anyway.

35. Swiffer/Single-Use Mops

Cha-ching – those Swiffers really add up! Eliminate this expense with a reusable mop pad that can be washed and reused.

More Things To Stop Buying To Save Money

36. Full Priced Items

There are so many great sales throughout the year, it’s a complete waste to buy things at full price. The best way to ensure you don’t have to buy things at full price is to take advantage of sales when they pop up.

It just takes a little planning:

• Stock up on items you regularly use (toiletries, food, etc)
• Make a list of upcoming events (birthdays, weddings, etc) and think about what you might want to buy and wait for it to go on sale

37. Sale items you don’t need or love

Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you need it! I understand – it’s enticing to buy things on sale, but if you don’t need it, it’s a waste of money.

38. Things you can’t afford

This goes without saying. If you can’t afford it, wait. Don’t add debt to your credit cards. Instead, if it’s something you need, save up. But more importantly, look for the best price out there.

39. Food Delivery & Fast Food

This is an area I’m trying to cut down on and having a weekly meal really helps. Food delivery is expensive with the delivery service marking up the price of the restaurant’s food, plus adding additional fees and tips on top.

What you might think is affordable can get expensive quickly.

40. Takeout Coffee

Getting coffee out really adds up. Instead, make your own coffee at home. 

As mentioned above I bought this Black & Decker coffeemaker at the beginning of the pandemic and it’s still going strong. Before that my husband used to buy one or two coffees out every day, so this is a massive savings for us. 

41. Car Washes

If you pay for regular car washes, instead grab a bucket and soap and get to it yourself. If you have a kid, make it a fun thing you can do together.

If it’s winter and you need to clean the salt from your car, this is the only time you might need to get a car wash. To save money go to a car washing station and do it yourself. 

42. Expensive Phones

Getting the latest iPhone might seem appealing, but it’s an expense you don’t need to have when trying to save money. This is something you can stop purchasing and instead, keep your current phone for a while longer. 

When it is time to buy a new phone, think about switching to an Android which is more cost-effective.

43. Expensive Greeting Cards

I’m amazed at the quality of greeting cards at the dollar store. They have a great selection for all occasions, so check it out. It’s better than paying extortionate prices for regular greeting cards.

44. Daily Lunch

If you grab daily lunch out when you’re at work during this week this can quickly add up to over $50 /week. Instead, bring your own lunch and put that extra money aside that you’re saving for credit card debt or your savings account.

45. Subscriptions You Don’t Need

Do you know how many monthly subscriptions you have? I recently just did an audit of mine and I was quite surprised when I saw the details written down all in one place.

Try doing the same and see if there are any you can get rid of.

Monthly subscriptions could include:

• Charities
• Streaming subscription services (music and TV)
• Software
• Audiobook subscriptions (try the free Libby app instead)
• Subscription boxes

46. Gym Memberships

Ditch the cost of an expensive gym membership and choose at-home workouts instead. There are so many free workout videos on YouTube. One I highly recommend is Grow With Jo.

47. Stop Spending At Restaurants

Try cutting down on how often you eat out. This is a big expense if you eat at a restaurant regularly, which could be put toward something more important.

48. Lottery Tickets

I get buying a lottery ticket once in a blue moon, but if you spend money on tickets every week, this is an expense you can eliminate. You’d be better off putting that amount into a high-interest savings account and watching it grow slowly over time.

49. The Latest Tech

Some people have serious addictions to purchasing the latest technology. Everything from laptops, phones, electronics, etc. When trying to be smart with your money this is not essential. 

50. Stop Buying To Fill An Emotional Void

When things aren’t going well in life, some people turn to food, others turn to substances and others turn to shopping. If you think you might be shopping as a form of stress relief, try and take a step back and think about why you are shopping.

One thing you can try for online shopping: Put the items in your basket and then come back to it 24 hours later and see if you really need the item. There’s a good chance you won’t and you’ll have given yourself some time to deal with the real issue at hand.

Next Steps & Final Thoughts

I get it, this is a pretty comprehensive list – and it might seem completely overwhelming to cut out all of these things. 

This is not the goal.

What you can do instead is focus on small changes:

• Look at the items you might be buying today, that you can easily stop buying
• Make a list of these items and start eliminating them and/or try alternative solutions
• See what this does to your monthly budget
• Once you are comfortable with these changes, aim to take a few more items off this list

Before you know if you’ll be saving a lot of money every month. You can put this money into your savings account, pay down debt, put on your mortgage, or pay off student loans.

In time your spending habits will change for the better so you can work toward important financial goals and be in control of your money.

Related Money Saving Resources:

• How To Save $5000 in a Year: Savings Challenge
• How To Do A No-Spend Challenge
• 40 Cheapest Groceries To Buy On A Tight Budget