There are some things I no longer buy - in the spirit of reducing consumption. In the past, I bought what I liked relatively unconsciously. I didn't give much thought to whether a purchase made sense or not. As Minimalist Today, however, I basically question every purchase. I'm not stingy, but I only spend my well-earned money on things that really help me develop personally. And I'm not an eco-freak either, but simply someone who doesn't want to be a burden on our environment for things that are actually unnecessary.
In this article, I'd like to introduce you to some of the things I no longer buy - and show you why. Let's go!
Notice: This article will also underpin at the same time that one can save money through conscious, sustainable consumption can.
1. printed books
I love reading books - but I also notice that they pile and pile and increasingly take up way too much space in our apartment. I don't even read most of them anymore. That's why I give many books away for free to friends who haven't read them yet.
I buy and read new books on my e-book reader. Thus, my books do not require Forests cut down will be. E-books are also cheaper and I can take countless books on the go with the e-reader without having to lug heavy 🙂 .
2. ready meals
I no longer need or buy over-sugared, pre-cut, plastic-packed convenience meals. They are unhealthy, cost a lot of money unnecessarily and harm the environment because of the plastic waste and the energy required for constant refrigeration.
Instead, I do my shopping for the next week every Saturday at the weekly market -. and now cook much more fresh. This is an important step in reducing your own consumption, which I can only recommend to you.
3. water in plastic bottles
I'm sure I don't have to tell you that you have to spend hundreds of times more money for packaged mineral water than for tap water. Then there's the hauling of the six-packs to the apartment. In addition, companies like Nestlé under criticismThey are privatizing water sources and trampling on the right to drinking water of the people living in their areas.
I therefore simply drink water from the tap - and provide the desired taste with mint leaves or lemons. When I go out of the house, I fill up my large stainless steel water bottle on. Done. Healthier, cheaper and more environmentally friendly. That's why plastic bottled water is one of the things I no longer buy.
4. haircuts
If you want to save money, you can start with your regular haircuts, for example. Before the Corona pandemic, I had a cost for a haircut in my sales every six weeks. But when the hairdressers closed, I - like you, perhaps - had to get creative.
Today my wife kindly cut my hair - and I am thrilled. Not only because it saves us more money, but because the cut ends up looking pretty professional 😉.
5. the latest electrical appliances
Does it really always have to be the latest smartphone? Of course not. Especially not when you consider that modern electronic devices are becoming more and more expensive but bring ever tinier benefits to our everyday lives - and that it takes a lot more than a smartphone to break down the rare metals used for smartphones often results in child labor.
Instead, I prefer to keep and maintain my old electrical appliances. I have had my smartphone for 4 years now - I only had to replace the display once. I can still take photos, make calls and use all the (latest) apps.
6. dozens, different shoes
I used to have quite a few shoes for all purposes - in all colors. And constantly I bought new pairs in addition. That costs a lot of money and natural resources. Since minimalist thinking is appropriate here, new shoes are constantly among the things I no longer buy.
Today I have only a few shoes. Because actually, two or three pairs are enough. Plain casual shoes that go with all your clothes, a pair of running shoes and shoes to match your suit.
Tip: For a sustainable approach to clothing, be sure to check out my Slow Fashion Tips view!
7. useless, online subscriptions
Are there some subscriptions in your life that you don't really use that much anymore, but are still being charged to your account? For example, the gym or the online streaming service? These are unnecessary costs - you can invest your money more sensibly and sustainably.
To avoid spending the money on unnecessary things, I simply went through my account transactions to get rid of unnecessary subscriptions. You should definitely do the same if you want to have more money left over each month. Anyway, I now only have the subscriptions that add real value to me, my life, or the environment.
8. brand new furniture
Among the things I no longer buy, or buy only very rarely, is new furniture. They are packed double and triple in plastic - and every second person already has them. Environmentally harmful and boring, isn't it?
On eBay classifieds or flea markets, you can find for a small price, really unique, wonderful furniture and spruce them up. If you have some manual dexterity and fun with DIY, then you can get yourself also build your furniture yourself. For instructions look with pleasure in my DIY Furniture Blog over.
Tip: For example, look at how I made my Dining table from old oak planks built by yourself have.
9. short-lived cheap fashion
Things I no longer buy? This definitely includes Fast Fashion Cheap fashion. New trends come out at what feels like weekly intervals. New trends that make fashion more short-lived and waste masses of natural resources.
Therefore, when I buy my clothes, I put more emphasis on quality and combinability with other clothes. This way I only need a few pieces, but have as many outfits available as possible. Also, I value my clothes and take care of them as best I can.
10. dozens of care products
I don't need 5 different shampoos and shower gels, three perfumes and dozens of day creams. They cost a lot of money unnecessarily and make a lot of waste. If I'm not careful, they also contain little plastic particles that can be used as Microplastics in the sea end.
Coconut oil on the other hand, is an all-purpose weapon that comes in a jar. You can use them for facial and dental care, among other things. And I shower with a Olive oil soap for skin and hairwhich I store in a tin can. Less waste, less pollutants, more money. That's why dozens of care products are among the things I no longer buy because I don't need them.
11. washing up liquid
Dishwashing detergent costs a lot of money in the long run and makes a lot of waste. In a year, 15-20 plastic bottles of the chemical agent can accumulate. A welcome reason for reducing your own consumption.
So as not to be such a burden on the environment, I make my Washing up liquid from ivy itself. This is incredibly simple and costs nothing. It saves money and protects the environment.
12. superfluous insurances
There are some insurance policies that make absolute sense. Like a liability insurance or a statutory health insurance for example. But you can also be overinsured or insure things that no longer need to be insured.
So I checked my insurance and stopped some payments. I highly recommend this if you want to save even more of your well-deserved money.
Tip: Some insurances are essential. Feel free to check out my post about sustainable insurances an.
13. things on SALE
Special offers and "three-for-two" promotions tempt people to buy more than they actually need. When it comes to grocery shopping, this often leads to more food being thrown away. That's anything but sustainable - and it's hard on the wallet. Most of the time, it doesn't make sense to take advantage of such bait offers because the products don't add any value for us. If the price tag says "20 percent off," you end up spending 80 percent more than you actually would.
That's why before buying things I always question whether I really need them - and whether they provide me with the added value I would want. Because what I don't need, I don't have to pay for unnecessarily. Quite simply.
14. ball pen
Free or paid, I don't need new pens. I have a few at home that will last me an eternity. What's more, the free giveaways consume an unnecessary amount of natural resources and have already completed half a world tour.
I have my traceable fountain pen, a pencil, and some pens in the drawer. That's why I don't need any more.
15. eating too much - and animal products
Our diet makes a decisive contribution to the biggest environmental problems of our time especially to the climate change and the Deforestation. How we feed ourselves also ensures that every year billions of Animals tortured and killed so that we can eat them. How brutal is it that we do not even value the food we have available?
Therefore I reduce my food waste purposefully - and live vegan. That means: on the one hand, I plan my meals for the next week in advance and only buy what I can actually eat. On the other hand, I only eat food and meals that harm other people and animals as little as possible.
Tip: At why live vegan I will explain to you exactly why this lifestyle is so important.
Not all of these things can be implemented in every life situation, I know. I can only speak for myself here. But I'm sure I could inspire you a bit with at least three or four of the things I no longer buy.
Do you have any questions or suggestions about this article? Then feel free to write me a comment.
Keep it minimalist,
PS: Be sure to check out the article "Why consumption does not make you happy" to further solidify your minimalist attitude. Have fun!
So far so good. I also use foam soap dispensers for washing up liquid and for my hands. A package of liquid soap is then enough for a year. And solid shampoo. Lasts 2 months. Also: I use an 8 year old used business notebook. My TV is also 7 years old and bought used. I only buy small things new (Bluetooth headphones, for example). I'm finally definitely on a buying spree as of today. To eat: There are wonderful frozen vegetables. It's easy and quick to prepare and also keeps well. I drink a lot of tea. Sometimes tap water with sparkling water and some juice from the tetrapack. From a 1 liter tetrapack I make so 5 liters. Saves also and provides for variety. You don't have to make everything yourself (washing up liquid!). It is enough if everyone would just stretch things 5-100 times. That often improves the quality and reduces plastic waste significantly. I wear shoes until they fall apart. Then they get repaired.
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