My goal is to retire before age 40 (and I'm on track) so here are the things I don't buy anymore that will help me reach financial freedom.
Let's be honest. We all need less spending and more minimalism in our lives.
I'm guilty of it myself. I get sucked into the gorgeous Instagram influencers with the latest clothes, makeup, home decor, etc.
However, I have a goal to retire by age 40, and I'm on track to do so.
I stopped spending money on certain things and instead invested that money in real estate and the stock market so that I could generate more income to reach FIRE (financially independent retire early) at a young age.
Don't get me wrong, I don't give up anything. I just don't spend money on them in the same way. I've read other posts where they give up everything and we are not doing that here. I am simply showing other options that have worked for me so that we don't go without things.
Here's a list of some of the things I refuse to buy because my financial goals are more important. Plus, I don't even miss these items anymore!
This post is all about the things I don't buy anymore that will help me retire early and reach financial independence.
1. Nails
Okay, first off. I am not the girl that thinks getting my nails done is fun. In fact, I hate it and I dread it.
I used to get them done every 3 weeks for over 10 years.
I love the look of having my nails done, but I hated sitting there for 90 minutes and it just wasn't relaxing.
It was also VERY expensive.
I get the most basic dip nails and gel toes imaginable (always one color) and I was still spending $100 every 3 weeks ($40 for dip and $40 for gel toes with a $20 tip). That's insane!!
In fact, I did the math, and if I were to invest that money instead, I would have $1 million extra at retirement.
Therefore, I knew I needed to get to work on learning myself. I practiced with different things for years, but they were never perfect.
When the pandemic occurred, I decided to really work to find the best products and I finally taught myself how to do my own dip nails on my hands and gel nails on my toes so that they look professionally done.
Don't get me wrong, it's hard at first, but practice makes perfect. If you look at my TikTok videos, my nails look pretty darn professional.
I pour a glass of wine, turn on my favorite TV show, and do my nails and toes in about 90 minutes total.
I put together tutorials on how to do dip and gel nails below:
- How to Do Dip Nails PERFECTLY at Home to Save $1,000 a Year
- How to Do Professional Looking Gel Nails at Home to Save $1,000 a Year
2. Coffee
Don't hate me for this one, but coffee is SO EXPENSIVE!
I went the other day and got a black grande coffee from Starbucks and it was $6!!!
I couldn't believe it!
That probably didn't even cost them a cent so I just simply cannot justify that.
Get a $20 coffee maker and make your own coffee at home.
Plus, I love to get flavored coffee and a milk frother so that it tastes just like Starbucks.
3. Name Brand Items
One of the things I don't buy anymore is name-brand items, both in the grocery store and with clothing.
In the grocery store, I always go for the generic brands because they are usually half the price and oftentimes, they are actually the same manufacturer! Yes! It's true!
Now, with clothing and accessories, I do believe in buying quality.
However, buying Lululemon clothes at retail price is just plain stupid. I'm sorry, I said it.
I walk by all the time and see high school-age girls buying clothes in there. I KNOW they don't have the money to support buying those clothes.
I can easily afford those clothes, but I CHOOSE not to because they are so expensive. You can get workout clothes on Amazon that feel and look the EXACT same, I kid you not.
If you still want the brand, then buy them on eBay. I have TONS of designer brands (including way too many Lululemon clothes), but I bought them all brand new on eBay.
The best part is, I also can sell them on eBay later on!
4. Plastic Water Bottles
Please, stay away from plastic water bottles.
Instead, buy clear glass ones for your fridge that you can refill or buy Yeti-looking cups for a constant refill.
This way, you save a ton of money, but also help the planet!
5. Greeting Cards
I know, I know. Greeting cards are the BEST!!
Did you know that Dollar Tree has greeting cards from last year? Yep! They are Hallmark cards from last year.
Go to Dollar Tree and get the ones you need or keep some on hand.
The other day, I needed a card last minute and had to buy one at a big box store…and they are now $7!! Holy smokes!
Do yourself a favor and just get the 50-cent ones from Dollar Tree that are just from last year.
6. Things that I Could Get at Dollar Tree
While we are on this topic, there are actually so many name-brand items you can get at the dollar store, instead of a big box store.
I started going there in college when I was broke so when I had money, there was no way I could buy things at a big box store when I knew I could get it at Dollar Tree for a fourth of the price.
In fact, my friends always laugh at me when I go there, but with every dollar I save, I think about how much that dollar can make for me in the stock market or in real estate so I just smile at them.
I made a list of over 50 items you can get at Dollar Tree to save tons of money!
7. Cable TV
You've got to drop the cable TV as it is so expensive. This is actually one of the first things I stopped buying and I haven't had it now for over 10 years.
HOWEVER, I still watch every show (Bravo, Travel, Food Network, HGTV, E, MTV, etc).
I have Netflix and a streaming service that gives me live TV.
The streaming service apps are a fraction of the price and still give you live TV and DVR recording features.
8. Low-Quality Items
I also stopped buying low-quality items.
Over the years, I found I was constantly replacing purses, clothes, and home items because I had bought the cheapest thing. That's actually the problem.
If you spend additional dollars to begin with and buy quality items, they will last so much longer.
I now buy expensive items upfront that I can use for a lifetime so that I never have to buy the item again.
“Buy once, cry once”
For example, I buy really nice dishes, glasses, a Dyson vacuum, real jewelry (solid gold), good furniture, quality clothes, etc.
9. Air Fresheners
I'll admit I have NEVER been a fan of plug-ins or air fresheners, but I did buy them when I was in college.
I'm not sure why as whenever I go into someone's home that has a plug-in air freshener, I get an immediate headache and it doesn't even smell nice.
Instead, opt to freshen your home while cleaning, opening windows, and then putting lemon in boiling water on the stove with some rosemary to get a Pottery Barn smell in your home.
10. Paper Napkins
I NEVER buy paper napkins anymore and never will.
I also don't like the kitchen table to feel like a picnic. Instead, I opt for cloth napkins and I just wash them.
It makes the dining experience feel so much more luxurious and I save so much money by doing this.
Plus, it helps eliminate waste!
11. Cleaning Crew
I will admit there is a time and a place for having a cleaning crew come into your home to help you save time.
However, they can be so expensive!
Cleanings are typically $200-$400 each time!
Instead, opt to keep your home clean by doing a rotation every week.
12. Latest Technology
Buying the latest technology is something I've never understood.
That is the biggest waste of money.
Instead, hold on to your phone and computer until it actually needs to be replaced.
It's so easy to fall into the rate race of keeping up with new technology, but it can save thousands by keeping what you have and simplifying your life.
13. Things that Don't Need to be Replaced
My friends will never let me live down the fact that my laptop in college was duct-taped together.
It's true.
I had 5 jobs all through college and technically had money to replace the laptop, but with a massive student loan and a laptop that technically worked, I refused to replace it.
I was a poor college student working so hard to make money so the thought of dropping $1,000 on a laptop that was working was just not something I would allow myself to do.
I'm still that way today.
I do not replace things unless they need to be replaced. This has saved me so much money over the years!
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