It is funny how much your values and ideals change when you become a minimalist. There are so many things I no longer buy as a minimalist that I didn’t give two seconds to think about before becoming a minimalist.
It is crazy to think about how much my consumption has reduced as a result of not buying these things.
This just goes to show you how strong marketing can be and how unconscious we’ve allowed ourselves to be when it comes to consuming things.
Things I No Longer Buy as a Minimalist
1 // Seasonal Trendy Pieces
Having a sustainable wardrobe is key for me since becoming a minimalist. Purchasing pieces that only last one or two seasons creates an excess in not only my home but also creates a bigger demand for fast fashion.
Related Post: Create a Capsule Wardrobe; My Project 333 Experience
2 // New Clothes
While I do buy clothes I need, I purchase them secondhand. It is an eco-friendly option that keeps me away from trendy clothes and allows me to invest in better-quality pieces at a much lower price.
Small disclaimer: I do purchase undergarments new, but I invest in pieces these pieces so they last much longer.
Related Post: How to Rebuild Your Wardrobe; Building a Wardrobe from Scratch
3 // Wax Warmers, Candles, Aerosol Sprays
These all may smell great, but they are full of harmful chemicals that I don’t want to breathe. I have since switched to essential oil diffusers and DIY room sprays.
Now my home is full of pure, natural products that I do not fear breathing in, and at the same time, I am able to purify the air in my home!
If you are someone who just loves candles, there are organic coconut waxed candles made with pure essential oils.
You can find a lot of small businesses that make these on Etsy or Instagram. Just do your homework on the ingredients before you say it is safe.
Related Post: 15 Things I No Longer Buy as a Homesteader
3 // Non-quality Products
Minimalism’s main focus is to reduce consumerism in your home. When purchasing non-quality products, consumption occurs more frequently and can cost more in the long run.
However, it is less likely to occur when spending a little more money on a product that can last multiple times longer. This also helps the shopaholic that lives inside of me stay deeply buried.
4 // Conventional Household Cleaners
Like #2, these cleaners are full of very harmful chemicals. These chemicals are not only toxic to ingest but also toxic to breathe.
Since changing to natural cleaners, I have noticed a big difference in cleaning my home. It takes fewer cleaners, too, because I just need an all-purpose cleaner, vinegar, and baking soda.
Related Post: Minimalist Cleaning Routine to Maintain a Tidy Home
5 // Satellite/Cable TV
I used to think we had to have all of these channels with hundreds of options. Over time I realized that I did not have all of the options I thought. I began to waste time finding something to watch.
One day, I decided enough was enough. I was tired of overpaying for TV I did not watch! I canceled it, paid cancellation fees, and switched to Netflix.
Now I have the freedom to watch what I want when I want. The best part is I am paying a sliver compared to what I was paying.
Related Post:39 Ways to Cut Expenses Out of Your Budget
6 // Single-Use Items
By switching to reusable items, I’ve eliminated the need for single-use items almost completely within my home. The reduced consumption and cost savings are both amazing benefits, but most importantly, the waste I’ve reduced in my home is the best of all.
I still purchase toilet paper, but I’m not about the family cloth thing…. No offense to anyone who is. It just isn’t for me.
Related Post: 4 Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper Brands Tested And Reviewed
7 // Alcohol
In December 2016, I gave up drinking alcohol. I just decided I had drank enough for my lifetime and have lived without it ever since. The money I save and my health far outweigh any glass of wine I used to enjoy.
8 // Magazines
I used to pick up a magazine when checking out at the grocery store and subscribe to a few via snail mail.
However, I never really read or looked through them, so I put a boundary in place to stop purchasing and subscribing to magazines.
I don’t miss them. If I think a headline is worthy of picking up a magazine, I flip through it in the store and put it back. But that is a very rare occasion.
Related Post: How to Create a Paperless Home; Going Paperless At Home
9 // DVDs & CDs
I used to have a HUGE CD collection, but after realizing that it was a space filler, I decluttered it. CDs are really things of the past anyway.
When it comes to DVDs, I was never an avid buyer. With Netflix and other streaming options, I don’t feel the need to buy them.
10 // Jewelry
I used to have an armoire full of jewelry, but it was mostly due to a job I used to have. The women I worked with were big into jewelry, and I felt needed a lot of jewelry to fit into their crowd.
After leaving that job, I realized what I did and slowly started to declutter my collection. I haven’t purchased a new piece of jewelry in years, and don’t see the need for it. I have my staples that I wear daily, and that is good enough for me.
Related Post: How to Downsize and Simplify Your Home
11 // Nail Polish & Manicures
This is another thing I used to spoil myself with and don’t anymore. When I learned how toxic nail polish is and all about the germs in nail salons, I eliminated both from my life.
I’m a country girl, so unless I invest in acrylics, there isn’t any point. I’ll chip the polish within the first 24 hours.
Instead, I keep my nails trimmed and my hands moisturized. I don’t worry what other people think because it isn’t about them.
12 // Face Wipes
When I found the world of oil cleansing, I stopped using face wipes altogether! I wasn’t a big fan of them, to begin with, so I was beyond thankful to find a replacement.
Now I use jojoba oil and a washcloth to remove my makeup. It is way more effective and gentler than any face wipe I’ve ever tried.
13 // Dryer Sheets
There are so many reasons I don’t use dryer sheets, but the primary reason is that wool dryer balls work better. Dryer sheets aren’t good for the environment and are costly compared to wool dryer balls.
Related Post: 101 Ways to Reduce Waste
14 // Just In Case
Just in case things I no longer buy, include something that is on sale that I could use one day but don’t necessarily need today. An example would be a notebook, pen, or a book that I may or may not read.
Just in case, items are more about buying impulsively due to an urge or habit.
Get the 51 Things to Declutter Right Now Checklist. I promise you won’t miss these items.
15 // Mugs
I love a pretty mug, but I don’t need any more mugs. I have four that match my plates, and that is more than enough.
If they break, I will replace them. However, I will not purchase a mug just because I can.
16 // Plastic Kitchen Tools & Containers
This is a hard NO in my home. Plastic is toxic and can leach chemicals into your food, and I want no part in poisoning myself or my family.
Glass, stainless steel, or wood for me, please!
Related Post: Kitchen Declutter Challenge: Let’s Declutter the Heart of the Home
17 // Purses & Wallets
I used to purchase new purses and wallets frequently. There used to be a collection at one point… Now, I have exactly one purse and one wallet.
I have had my wallet for 10 years now, and I don’t plan to replace it any time soon. It is of great quality and will probably last me another 10-20 years.
My purse will probably be replaced in the next couple of years, but when the new one arrives, this purse will be donated or recycled.
FYI, vegan leather is often times plastic. Please don’t purchase plastic leather because it claims to be vegan. Instead, opt for natural materials.
18 // Dog Toys
Even with purchasing natural fiber ropes, I’ve come to realize that my fur babies prefer to play with each other. The toys will sit in the same place for a month undisturbed, so I’ve stopped wasting my money on dog toys.
19 // Gift Wrapping
It is too easy to reuse a gift bag that someone doesn’t want at the end of a party. Thanks to this, I don’t buy gift wrapping of any kind.
It saves me a lot of money and keeps unnecessary waste out of the landfill. You can reuse a bag multiple times, so there really isn’t a need to go out and purchase new things for every occasion.
Related Post: 4 Things to Declutter for a Simple, Clutter-Free Holiday Season
20 // Craft Supplies
I used to have an entire room dedicated to craft supplies, hopeless dreams, and wishful thinking. Once I realized that I chose to not be crafty, I stopped buying craft supplies.
If there is a project I do need something for, I will get the supplies I need, but just what I need.
21 // Lipstick
I’m not a lipstick person, but I tried to be for YEARS! Don’t get me wrong, I love a deep-berry lipstick. It can be very beautiful.
The problem for me was actually wearing it, reapplying after drinking or eating, and not leaving it in the car during the summer months. Really it was just a pain altogether.
Instead, I prefer a lip balm that is low maintenance and just needs to be applied in the morning and before bed.
Related Post: My Minimalist Beauty Routine
22 // Shaving Cream
I really don’t know when or why I stopped buying shaving cream. I just know that at some point, it happened.
It really isn’t essential because water works just fine. If I want to spice things up, I use conditioner or soap.
23 // Cooking Spray
When I found out about the Misto Oil Sprayer, I stopped buying cooking spray. If you don’t know what the Misto Oil Sprayer is, it is an air pump sprayer that allows you to put any oil in it you want.
It is refillable, so you never have to buy overpriced cooking spray again. You just use what you have in the cabinets.
You can purchase the Misto Oil Sprayer from Amazon, and I highly encourage you to do so now! It really is my favorite minimalist kitchen gadget!
Final Thoughts about things I no longer buy as a minimalist
I love getting to save time and money on things I no longer buy as a minimalist because it has grown the quality of my life. In my home, the focus has shifted from material possessions to quality time together or working on passion projects.
We are investing in higher quality things when necessary and think about the things we need to replace before heading to the store to settle on whatever they have.
I don’t buy things without thinking about them for at least a week because I don’t want to be a victim of impulse shopping or spending money I don’t have.
These are just a few things I no longer buy since becoming a minimalist. I’d love to know in the comments what you no longer buy and why.
