10 Things I Don’t Buy Anymore (And Somehow I’m Still Alive)

From the kitchen to the gift list, here’s what got the boot—and why I don’t miss a single one of these money guzzlers.

Listen, I’ve spent enough years digging through couch cushions to know exactly where our money likes to sneak off to. And once you start paying attention, you realize you’re basically hemorrhaging cash on stuff that’s either useless, overpriced, or just flat-out ridiculous.

So we stopped. Cold turkey. And you know what?
We’re still here. Breathing. Functioning. Thriving even. Frugal-style.

Here’s what I don’t spend money on anymore—and what we do instead:

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1. Chasing Name Brands? Nah, I’m Too Busy wrangling the grandkids.

We’re not really the “ooooh is that a [insert fancy brand name here]??” type.

I mean, my favorite purse right now? It’s made by Wrangler. Yes—that Wrangler. The jeans people. I assume it was designed for someone carrying fence pliers and beef jerky, but it turns out it’s also perfect for holding receipts, snacks, miscellaneous mints and my buck tool and at least three expired coupons.

Is it designer? Technically.
Does it have a tiny logo you can barely read? Absolutely.
Has it survived being dropped in the garden, shoved under the truck seat, and used as a makeshift tote for library books?
You bet your frugal little heart it has. And it costs under $25! Serious bargain right there.

I don’t need a label to tell me something’s quality. I just want what I buy to:

• Do its job
• Not fall apart after two uses
• And not cost me a week’s worth of groceries

Honestly, if it looks decent, works hard, and doesn’t give up on life after a rainy day, then it has my full endorsement. Cowboy brand or not.

So no, I’m not out here chasing name brands. I’m chasing value. Function. Durability. And sometimes chickens.

And if a Wrangler purse gets me there?
Yeehaw, baby.

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2. Dryer Sheets & Fabric Softener
Wool dryer balls, vinegar rinse, and a good attitude. That’s the secret. Plus now our clothes don’t smell like “Mountain Breeze” (whatever that was supposed to be).

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3. Pre-Cut Produce
If I ever pay $6.99 for pre-sliced watermelon, just know I’ve been kidnapped and replaced. I own a knife. I’m not afraid to use it. I’m a ninja, I can cut it, I swear.

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4. Bottled Water
We have a tap. And it works. Add a cute reusable bottle and boom—hydration, zero plastic guilt, and $3 still in your pocket. Now I have to be honest we live in the country and have well water, really good well water. It’s perfect. I fill my water bottle and lug it everywhere & it’s so good.

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5. Cable TV
RIP, cable bill. We broke up years ago and I’ve never been happier. We get our TV from library DVDs, free apps, and the occasional YouTube rabbit hole. Zero regrets. I do have my guilty pleasures one of which is British Murder Mysteries. I got into Agatha Christie right after I had tore through every Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys ever written and I was hooked a very long time ago. We watch everything we love on Acorn , stop that subscription and start up with a Britbox subscription. By the time we get through that we start again.

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6. Trendy Decor
Do I love cute throw pillows and $40 distressed wood signs? Of course I do. Do I buy them? Absolutely not. I wait for the yard sale version or make it myself—bonus points if it’s crooked. I love all sorts of crafts creating things. Build a huge wood box, paint it in red chalk paint and then blue over that, rub it through and beautiful? Yup we did that and I love that thing.

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7. Greeting Cards
$7 for a card that goes straight to the recycling bin? No ma’am. I have in the past bought boxes of cards which are much cheaper then one offs! Nowadays though I just ask ChatGPT to make me one and print it out on card stock with my HP Printer. SWEET!

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8. Cheap happy crappy gifts.
I like the things I give to last so I’ll buy the best I can afford or quite often I’ll just make you something. I can crochet pretty good, cook up a storm (my neighbor adores my apple pear jam), embroider, and sew. I’ll figure out something. And when my daughters birthday was rolling around I dragged my grandkids to a summer library crafting session to make her something (got to carry that habit to the next generation)

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9. Shiny New Gadgets
The avocado slicer. The strawberry huller. The banana keeper. No. I have a spoon and a rubber band. We’re good. I do have a few gadgets that have come to stay. The spiralizer did not make the cut for kitchen counter space but the panini maker comes out every summer so we can whip up a yummy sandwich or grill a piece of chicken for dinner on a hot night. I like convenience as much as the next gal!

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10. Fast Fashion Anything
I stopped chasing trends and started chasing jeans that fit. I buy sensible pieces in a basic design and just go with it. I have often been heard to say to the children as they go out the door to school “It’s not a fashion show”!. My clothes don’t scream fashion but they have their own little style, I swear. I bought a plain jean jacket on sale and embroidered it with flowers. I get more compliments on this simple little thing.

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The Moral of the Story?

Frugal living isn’t about deprivation. It’s about ditching the stuff you never needed in the first place, so you can spend more time, energy, and actual dollars on what actually matters.

Like paying off the house. Buying good food. Planting too many beets. Laughing with your cousins at a lake in Maine. You know—real life.

So go ahead. Break up with the dryer sheets. Your wallet will thank you, and so will I.