since starting a frugal lifestyle...

**Sara Noel** · 03-19-2011, 01:08 PM

what are some things you'll never buy or spend money on ever again? For example, I know a lot of people won't buy paper towels, plastic wrap, baby wipes or cleaning products anymore. Or put a slightly different way, what do you make yourself or substitute instead of buying?

**jas** · 03-19-2011, 02:26 PM

I do need to kick the paper towel habit, even though I buy then on sale with a coupon.

Lets see.... It pains me and I try not to buy the things I know I can get for a great deal on sale w/coupon. I will wait. As far as what will I not buy I can't think of one right now, but as this thread gets more replies I am sure I will relate to some of them for sure.

**kitkat0649** · 03-19-2011, 03:06 PM

Since jumping back on the bandwagon I am proud to say it's been 79 days since I have had Starbucks! Woohoo!

**AnW819** · 03-19-2011, 03:41 PM

Frozen food entrees.

**OOwl** · 03-19-2011, 03:45 PM

Things I used to buy that I no longer do:
-Sonic drive-in drinks (was an almost daily habit)
-Frozen dinners (skip almost the entire frozen-food section at the grocery store now)
-Clothes at the mall (some of my favorite clothes now have come from Goodwill)
-High-end cosmetcis and hair products (now I shop at the Dollar store)
-Dog show weekends (I used to show dogs but gave that up when I decided to start spending ALL my money beyond basic living expenses to getting out of debt. Now that I'm debt free, I have NO desire even to go back to showing dogs. . . and they're all the happier for just being house pets. Belly rubs are FREE!).

**craftypam** · 03-19-2011, 04:34 PM

I am a person who never bought drinks out except when going to a restaurant for dinner. Even lunch I'd buy food and come home for the drink and while I don't go to Sonic everyday or even close; their fresh fruit drinks for 1/2 price between 2 & 4 are unbeatable for less than $1.25

**Momto5RN** · 03-19-2011, 04:39 PM

i never say never - things i said i would never do or buy when my kids were little i find i ended up doing when they were teens anyway .

Things i thought i wouldnt use as much ( the dryer etc ) - i now do due to my fibro etc .

i do have 1 rule i rarely pay full price for anything and like things to be at least 50% off average retail if i can food- clothes etc ( wont say never because - you just never know what the future can bring and i dont want to jinx myself lol )

**Buc-O-Mama** · 03-19-2011, 05:06 PM

Paper towels are gone. Use free cut up t-shirt rags instead. Paper napkins are mostly gone too, with the exception of when we are entertaining LARGE groups of people.

**Sara Noel** · 03-19-2011, 05:41 PM

I know some people won't buy croutons or bread crumbs anymore. Oh and salad dressing and baby food.

**river** · 03-19-2011, 07:22 PM

clothes and shoes at the mall ( thrift stores)
hair and bodywash products (dollar store only)
cafeteria lunches at school (bring my own from home)
never want to pay full price any more (if I can )

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-19-2011, 07:52 PM

Most convenience foods --
Why buy cream of __ soup when you have butter, flour and milk for a fraction of the cost? It doesn't take any longer to make either. Caution: it is a real eye opener to how much fat is actually in the stuff.
Enchilada or spaghetti sauce -- add spice and sugar to tomato sauce/paste
...just a couple examples...

**shoiji** · 03-19-2011, 08:08 PM

Well you definately made me think Sara. I was going to say paper towels however I just bought two rolls for a dollar. They will last me the year.

I have cut down on the amount of processed foods I purchase. But I really can't say I will never buy something again.

**SwirlyThing** · 03-19-2011, 08:09 PM

I no longer buy loaf-bread. I make it myself, but still buy hamburger and hotdog buns.

I no longer buy orange juice. I squeeze it from the fruit in my backyard.

I no longer buy disposable menstrual products. I use exclusively reusables.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

**Ramona** · 03-19-2011, 08:11 PM

Salad dressing
Pre-packaged snacks
Coffeemate, switched to milk
Cake or brownie mixes
White bread, except Italian, can't do without it

**Palooka** · 03-19-2011, 10:24 PM

Frozen food dinners
cut back on expensive hair products. (even with my discount, Paul Mitchel and Biolage etc are way over the top) Some cheaper stuff works just as well.
No expensive toners. Use Witch Hazel instead.
I'm sure there is more....