What items do you not buy (that save money)?

**shp1055** · 06-29-2011, 09:14 AM

1) No cable; disconnected it appx 9 years ago(didn't like dd's programming choices.
2) No internet - use it at the office.
3) Don't drink or smoke.
4) Don't buy "mixes". Make from scratch.
5) No dryer sheets or fabric softener.
6) I rarely drink soda; try to drink more water. DH does drink soda!
7) Lunch out at work about once a month now; eat in lunchroom at the office.
8) Gave up house phone years ago. Use a tracphone.
9) Only magazine subscription now is Backwoods Home. Love Jackie Clay and her advice. Serves a usedful purpose. Never throw them away.
10) Newspaper online.
11) Will never buy a new car. Mine is a '99 & still rolling.
12) After Xmas, I buy deedply discounted colognes (enough for a year) as I quit buying the expensive stuff a long time ago. Only wear it to work or if going somewhere.
13) Don't buy ready ground hamburger anymore. Wait for roasts to go on sale and have the meat market grind them for me. Lots cheaper and no Beef Products, Inc. ingredients in it.
14) Had let my Sam's Club membership expire, but all of a sudden got a notice that the company I work for provides cards for employees, so I had given it up but didn't have to???
15) Don't go to Wal-Mart nearly as much anymore, spend too much when there.

I'm sure there are lots more.

**MaryCarney** · 06-29-2011, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by savvy_sniper

Newspaper works great for cleaning windows!

Not the Lebanon Reporter!!! My windows were dirtier than when I started

You 'bout need gloves to read it anyhow - the ink comes off so bad. Had the same problem with the Tribune when we lived in Chicago.

**OOwl** · 06-29-2011, 10:01 AM

No fast food.
No Starbucks.
No fancy clothes shopping sprees.
No Coach purses.
No expensive or multiple pairs of shoes.
No mortgage payement.
No car payment.

Ditto on newspaper too clean glass. I have lot of a aquariums so lots of glass to clean. Squirt of vinegar-water and dry with wad of newspaper gives a lint-free, smudge-free, sparking-clean shine that no paper towel can best.

**moasmom** · 06-29-2011, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by forHISglory

I like this question because it makes me think. There are no right or wrong answers, but it raises the issues of where we place values and how we handle sacrifice.

I agree with you. I try to regularly ask myself if I need the things I do buy. It's a good way to spend money mindfully instead of mindlessly.

There are too many things to list that I don't buy. But, generally speaking, I try not to buy disposable things (toilet paper and floss are pretty much the only disposable things that I will continue to buy).

We also have not had Cable TV since 2000, and that right there has saved us a ton of money.

I look forward some day to living someplace where we can get by with one car. That would cut down on so many costs!

Very interesting reading everyone's lists.

Kara

**brennasmom** · 06-29-2011, 01:28 PM

Love everyone's input. I am always looking for new items to cross off my buying list and save money

**forHISglory** · 06-30-2011, 12:08 PM

Bumping this to today. This is one of the best threads going. It gets right to the heart of frugality.

**freebs** · 06-30-2011, 12:49 PM

paper towels
kleenex
paper plates
paper cups
make up
cell phone

**brennasmom** · 06-30-2011, 01:08 PM

Thought of a few more:

* kleenex (unless necessary)
* disposable silverware (I bought some silverware from Goodwill that we use in school/work lunches)
* no car payments
* buy lots of clothing second hand
* books (we use the library tons)
* movies (library or netflix)
* CD's (use itunes)

**dean** · 06-30-2011, 02:14 PM

Never buy for myself or dh-that's what Christmas, birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. are for. Make a list-kids take care of what they want to get us.
No window cleaner-reusable window cloth
No make up
Not many groceries-garden, canning, baking, kid's coupon also and we share the free wealth.
No frills on cell phone-just calling and receiving-no texting
No laundry detergent-home made
No dryer-line dry inside and out
No fuel bill-free heat from woodburner
No Ac-good old fresh air

**MyMelody** · 06-30-2011, 04:41 PM

- prepared laundry detergent (I make my own)
- fabric softener or dryer sheets (ditto above)
- tobacco or alcohol
- movies (not in theater or DVD - we use Netflix)

More that I can't think of, I'm sure.

**miss_cas** · 06-30-2011, 05:48 PM

1. I don't buy formal wear clothing. Attending a wedding will break the bank for most people. Wear a suit or old easter dress.
2. Refuse to purchase gifts for anyone, exception are the little kids in my family.
3. Don't buy xmas gifts any longer except for the little kids.
4. Skip fad clothing purchases. No one needs to update their look. An occasional clothing splurge off the clearance rack is about all.
5. Very few movies at the theater.
6. No more week long vacations.
7. Don't replace anything unless it's broken.
8. Drive older, paid off car.
9. Use rags for cleaning.
10. Don't hire anyone you don't have to...do own yard work, maintenance and house cleaning.

**larabelle** · 06-30-2011, 08:13 PM

No Television ....makes me less susceptable to advertising. Yes, my brother does say in reference to my parents coming to visit me "Well, now you are headed back to the stone ages."
No clothes dryer...helps in maintaining the durability of my clothes
No new car...my old car drives well.
No internet connection at home..cuts out advertising and causes me to interact person to person more
No fabric softener..come on...a close line and sunshine is fine
No computer at home...promotes person to person interaction
No make up/high heels...I look fine without it and my feet do not miss heels...
No movies or netflix...I don't miss either
No new clothes...I find lots and lots from the thrifty stores

**SammeyG** · 07-02-2011, 11:36 PM

#1 No make up... Always thought that I look fine with out it
#2 No high priced clothes... Always try to make what I have look good.
#3 No magizines or newspaper...Can either get them from mil or read online.

This is all that I can think of right now. I am sure that there are more that I do and don't relize it. This is a good thread.

**AspiringToBeFrugal** · 07-04-2011, 01:11 AM

~ I don't buy/wear makeup.
~ We don't subscribe to the newspaper...if I need/want to read it, I find what I can online or borrow my grandma's copy (she also gives me the coupons that come in her Sunday paper.)
~ No new cars--we only buy used.
~ Haven't purchased a new pair of shoes in over 2 years (though I will probably buy a pair of sneakers soon as the plastic has poked through in several places and they are no longer comfy)
~ No special features on cell phone--only phone calls
~ We don't buy books (except on the rare occasion) as our library is very well-stocked.
~ Don't buy video games and don't buy the latest technology (iPads, iPods, computers, etc.)

**ImEmile** · 07-04-2011, 01:55 AM

When the animals weren't getting fed last summer until after the last cartoon had been finished, I unplugged the satellite receiver and packed it away and gave it back.

Spent $50 on the box necessary to watch analog TV with the new HD. More than enough channels. Kind of a waste since we're paying for internet, KWIM?

I do buy fabric softener but only use about half the amount called for. Same with liquid detergent. Might have to revisit the notion of making my own. Never have because I couldn't find the ingredients overseas but now that I'm home I really need to look into it.

I bake my own bread though I'm trying to cut down on the carbs.

Try to shop the outside areas of the store, avoid middle sections except for baking supplies, etc.

Store brands unless coupons combined with sales make for a better deal.