what did you used to buy that you now realise is a waste of money?

[overdrawn]

I’m trying to sort out a credit card debt and reduce my spending so wanted to ask what are things you used to spend money on that you’ve realised aren’t worth it?

For some reason, I used to buy the expensive Brabantia bin bags (I have no idea why!) and a few months ago realised it was a complete waste of money and now buy regular black bin bags.

I also bought a home gel nails kit and do my own manicures / pedicures (I did lots of research and bought a good brand, and follow all the advice) They look just as good (if not better) than what I was getting in an average salon and the cost per manicure is much less.

Stopped buying more clothes.
Buy Lidl brand cleaning products, toiletries and loo roll.
Give as much as possible to charity so they can benefit and still keep up my charity subscriptions .
My local council gym membership an absolute bargin so do many classes there.
Sky is bordering on cancellation. Dito National Trust.

Loving this thread.

I too use bar soap/ solid shampoo/ reusable face pads/ sanitary towels. It was an environmental push, but it's saved me loads. I'd be VERY interested if anyone has used the rolls of reusable kitchen paper- every time I buy kitchen roll I baulk at the cost!

I use SMOL for multi-purpose & bathroom cleaner & dishwasher tabs - it actually works out very, very reasonably. Stopped their washing tabs as too expensive- back to big box Non-Bio but no more Persil, own brand is just fine.

I've stopped buying fizzy juice- Soda-stream instead & is excellent (Pepsi Max & 7up) but using ordinary cordial is also delicious.

This year for birthday I had no idea so asked my 2 best friends for Boots vouchers. I then bought all make-up I needed a good 6 months later, you know, when i actuallyneeded it! . I'm going to ask for this every year.

bottled water - I used to always buy a pack if Evian for work then it was own brand water not sure why it didn’t occur to me to fill water bottle up like i do now .
never buy Costa or Starbucks waste if money make my own agains takeaway cup .
always buy own brand cleaning /washing products .
although I do ( waste ) money some may say by getting my nails done monthly and Hair coloured every 3 months but I feel I am careful with money so my treat to myself.

Kids subscription boxes.

Alcohol

With bog roll, what I do is buy Nicky or the medium price one in Aldi. Some of the expensive ones are very thick, and the cheap ones seem a false economy because you need to use more sheets.
Aldi and Lidl washing up liquid and washing powder are really good, as are their shampoo and skincare.

Homeware

Just changing throws, cushions and decorative accessories for different seasons or because I fancied a change of colour 😕 I could actually cry at the amount of money I've wasted on stuff like that over the years.

And I don't buy fabric conditioner anymore, ran out once and just stopped using it altogether. I haven't noticied any difference in the clothes

@Truemilk I know what you mean! This thread is both incredibly useful and making me think about all the money I've wasted over the years! It's kind of painful to think about...!

Tbh whether private school is a waste if money will depend a LOT on the child and the schools around you.

I have to say though, I’ve always found it really hard to decide whether it was better for dcs to go to a private school or to use that money for a BTL.
I don’t think the choice is obvious - see my point above re the child and the schools around you.

@Puffalicious i just use a kitchen towel (that then goes in the wash directly) or a dish cloth.

@declutteringmymind how do tou make butter please? 😍

I've stopped buying makeup because apart from mascara I use very little.

I don't buy rinse aid or glass cleaner - I use white vinegar for both. It's so much cheaper and a lot more efficient. (using it as a rinse aid doesn't make the dishes smell)

Bottled Water. Its free from the tap, and our water tastes great which helps. I had to buy a bottle of water recently and I'm still the tiniest bit annoyed about it.

Cleansing wipes - a face cloth is just as easy and more sustainable.

Alcohol 🍸 sadly I'm not great at holding my drink these days. Two drinks in and I'm done so I just don't bother.

I don’t know if anyone has tried a no spend month where you pay for bills and essentials (real essentials like food, medicine and petrol, although a lot of people minimise car use and try to use up as much of their foodstuffs at the bottom of the freezer/back of the cupboard as possible) as doing this can really highlight whether you would miss the extras and every day spends like coffees/ clothes/ treats/ days out

Beauty creams. Unless they contain sunblock to stop UV radiation cooking your skin, they're a complete waste of money.

You need to have an electric whisk or mixer. It can be done with a stick blender too.

But some double cream

Whisk it. First you'll get thick cream, then it will form granular clumps then all of a sudden it will separate into butter and buttermilk.

Clump up the butter, add salt and wash in iced water to remove the removing buttermilk.

Mould or put into ramekins. It doesn't last as well in the fridge but I've frozen mine in small blocks.

Cost wise £2.30 for 600ml yielded 250g of butter so break even.

I'm going to look out for cheaper cream or keep an eye for yellow stickers. Otherwise I'll just buy the butter.

Might ask the milkman.

Out of interest - how do you do your nails? I am trying my hardest but mine still chip straight away. This is what I'm doing:-

1. Trim and push back cuticles.
2. Buff nails.
3. Clean nails with remover on a pad.
4. Apply Bluesky base coat.
5. Cure for 60+ seconds.
6. Apply Modelones gel builder (highly rated on Amazon).
7. Cure for 60+ seconds.
8. Apply second coat gel builder.
9. Cure for 60+ seconds.
10. Apply first coat Bluesky nail polish.
11. Cure for 60+ seconds.
12. Apply second coat nail polish.
13. Cure for 60+ seconds.
14. Apply Bluesky top coat.
15. Cure for 60+ seconds.

No matter how careful I am or how much I take the polish and 'cap' the ends of my nails, they still chip pretty much straight away. I wondered if I was doing anything wrong or if I just have a crap technique!

Oh I forgot the last part - nail polish remover on a pad at the end...

On nails, can't you do what (most) men do; ie, nothing? Other than washing your hands and trimming your nails with clippers? That sounds like a time and money-saving option to me! 😀

Books. I invested in a kindle, about £100, so that’s 20 books at £5 each. Has paid for itself many times over. Read about 2 or 3 books a week, lots of the free ones or £1 and occasionally get a subscription to kindle unlimited for a few months when it is on offer and then cancel again. Saved so much money!

Regenerate Enamel Science. It's actually currently on offer in Boots .

What's the gel builder do, just strengthening? I find mine chips the more coats I have on, so maybe that plus the polish is just a tad too thick

@SmudgeButt haven't had one for 9 years- we buy a 3.8 kg organic chicken instead - much nicer- both hot and cold

Same @overdrawn - I’m actually still in the black on the insurance with our 6yo springer. He’s had over £15k of treatments and operations over his lifetime so far.

Our other dog hasn’t had a day sick in his life though and his premiums are a complete waste of money!

I used to do it all without that step and they chipped more than they do now! My colleague does her nails and recommended it - hers always look great!