7 Things I No Longer Spend Money on as a Minimalist

Throughout my five-year minimalist journey, changing my spending habits has been as important as letting go of my possessions.

The rationale is pretty simple.

Jettisoning unused and unloved possessions only goes so far if you’re constantly bringing home more clutter.

At first, this meant resisting impulsive purchasing at the sight of every sale. It meant finding other hobbies than shopping. It meant waiting a week before buying to make sure it was a true need or love. 

By now, I’m well-aware when I’m tempted to buy, and know more stuff isn’t the answer to more happiness. Minimalist living continues to show me that the “good life” can’t be bought.

While I am anti-impulsive purchasing and anti-conspicuous spending, it doesn’t mean I’m anti-spending money completely. 

Now, my purchases are shaped by my values, which, with less stuff, have become more transparent. 

Today, my spending habits now are more eco-friendly, value-driven, and help keep clutter to a minimum.

In short, as a minimalist, I now know what I spend money on and what I don’t.

Here are 7 things I no longer spend money on as a minimalist:

1. Fast fashion

As a minimalist, my spending habits around clothes have changed considerably. I used to be a fast fashion magnet, constantly swiping trendy outfits off sale racks only to be rarely worn and eventually  tossed. 

Minimalism has taught me to view clothes as sustainable purchases instead of disposable ones, which has a positive effect on our environment. Currently, the average American throws away 70 pounds of clothes each year. And a whopping 85% of used clothing goes into the landfills. 

Now I buy clothes with quality in mind, not quantity, and replace them only when needed. I’ve had the same one pair of jeans for five years, and they’re still going strong. My black t-shirt dress is six years old and still one of my favorites to wear over leggings. 

Changing your spending habits around clothing reduces decision fatigue, helps the planet, and simplifies your life. 

2. Multi-step beauty routines

Before minimalist living, I would spend money on anti-aging skincare products that came with a bajillion steps. Even a “starter set” would have five different bottles—first the serum, then the cream, then the hydrating oil. Every regimen I tried was time consuming, pricey, and anything but simple.

As a minimalist, the skincare product I’ve been using and really liking is OneSkin. It’s like a multi-step skin care regimen all combined into one bottle. It saves me space and time, and is science-based, which I love. It’s powered by the first peptide proven to reverse skin’s biological age at a cellular level. They’re onto something because as I approach 40, my skin feels healthier with OneSkin than it did with the multi-step products I used in my early and mid-30s. (Enter the code “MINIMALIST” at check out for a discount.)

A super simple, effective skin care routine saves me time, counter space, and money. 

3. Freshly cut flowers

Before minimalism, I loved spending money on freshly cut flowers to brighten our living space. I’d even research what feelings different colors evoked (i.e., yellow—abundance, joy) and use flowers to purposely place those colors in our home. 

While I was being intentional, I soon realized they were not at all eco-friendly. An article by Janice Cantieri states, “Before they reach a kitchen counter, most flowers in the United States travel between 1,500 to over 4,000 miles in refrigerated planes, boats, and trucks before they’re sold at grocery stores across the country—a significant environmental footprint for a product whose beauty lasts only a few weeks.”

As a minimalist, I now spend money on a small collection of plants instead. I cut lilacs for our home in the spring and zinnias from our garden in the summer and fall. 

Changing my spending habits around fresh flowers saves me money and reduces my carbon footprint without detracting from the beauty of our home. 

4. More bins (Minimalist spending means not investing in more storage)

My pre-minimalist-living spending habits involved a collection of decorative bins. We owned a lot of stuff, which I was constantly trying to organize or hide. The bins did the trick—until a child made a game out of overturning bins and scattering their copious contents across the home for me to gather.

As a minimalist, I’ve realized that I never needed more bins all along—I needed less stuff. After letting go of 75% of my possessions, I stopped spending money on bins and began donating them instead. 

Now, everything has a home within our home, and, while we still do use some bins in our home maintenance systems, I no longer need to purchase more.

5. A big home 

Before going minimalist, I dreamed of spending money on a large home with vast spaces. If the average American home size at that time was 2,700 sq ft, I wanted to invest in at least that amount of square footage, but likely more. 

Last year we built a home for our minimalist family of six. Its square footage? 1,200 sq ft on the main floor (plus a small rec room and my husband’s office in the basement). 

As a minimalist, I’ve realized I can still own a home with ample open space if I don’t fill it with unneeded stuff. Living in a smaller space saves us money, facilitates more family time, and has many ecological benefits.

6. Plastic toys (Minimalist spending means investing in experiences instead of more stuff)

My pre-minimalist self loved to spend money on toys—like really loved. My daughter and I bonded over the Barbie aisle at Walmart, which we frequented weekly so she could add a new doll to her collection. I loved sharing in her joy and excitement of getting something new.

But the high was short-lived. Back home, I’d scan our toy-covered living area, feel waves of stress and frustrations after stepping on a plastic pile or having to tidy yet again, and wonder where all these toys came from. Then I realized the answer: me. I had bought them; I was the source of our home’s plastic infestation.

My spending habits were making home overwhelming, hampering my daughter’s ability to engage in creative play, keeping us in debt, and facilitating one response from her: more (not gratitude).

As a minimalist, our four children have a small amount of beloved toys, and we use a toy rotation system—not new purchases—to sustain novelty.

7. Technology upgrades 

Before minimalist living, the newer and faster the iPhone, computer, TV, (enter your electronic of choice), the better. I spent money on technology upgrades whether I had the money or not. My tech consumption bordered on conspicuous, as I was quick to show what my “new toys” could do. 

As a minimalist, I’ve realized newer, shinier, and better things don’t lead to more happiness. In fact, while we all need basic things to live, true contentment doesn’t come from physical stuff. 

Today, we don’t own a TV, and we keep our phones and computers until they no longer function. No longer spending money on frequent tech upgrades saves me money and limits my distractions from what really matters. 

If you’re looking to simplify your life, get out of debt, or reduce clutter in your home, change your spending habits. 

Become intentional about what you no longer spend money on—as a minimalist I’ve learned your life will only become more simple, peaceful, and authentic for it.

***

Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog. Julia also practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home. She resides with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, three-year-old son, and baby girl. You can also find her on Instagram.

Do you want to get serious about decluttering your life? My signature course will show you how to change your inner and outer environment for good. Now is the time to choose change. Now is the time to live lighter. Learn more here.