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.

Takeaways. I used to have too much of them. With a bit of planning and buying plenty of veg so I HAVE to use them as I don't like wasting food, I find I don't have a choice but to cook with them.

A subscription to Private Eye.

New cars - my current one is 9-years-old and does a great job
dying my hair
waxing - shaving at home is fine
eyebrow shaping & dying (I do it myself now)
nails - I do my own
fabric conditioner- unnecessary

Glasses from the optician. Now I get my eye test done and buy the glasses online

I use Zoflora linen fresh instead of fabric conditioner. It smells nice, you only need about a teaspoon and the smell lasts longer than with fabric conditioner especially with towels

Expensive face washes ..
load of toot …

Yes. A bar of soap is fine.

Scent boosters for washing

My phone contract has been £90/month recently due to inflation increases (started out at £60 when I took out contract). Contract is up end of this month and I have taken out a sim only contract that is £15/month instead of upgrading

We are saving £20+ a week shopping at Aldi now instead of ASDA

Expensive skin care,i now buy Aldis caviar night and day creams and they are fine,im always being told i dont look my age so must be working also buy Revolution Retinol for about 10.00,why pay more it works.

Always dyed my own hair have a decent trim every couples month but hairdresser is a friend so thats reasonable still have professional. man and pedi but again known my beautician yrs so again get a deal.

Think cheap clothes maybe risky better last longer and look better. Primark a nono.but i do buy less than i used to i admit now anything has to go with loads in my wardrobe.no impulse buys.

Hi,

im not sure I fully agree.

Union subscriptions are def worth the measly cost they do great work for all workers!
Pet insurance is needed - my dog lost his eye in an accident. Even with insurance it cost me £1800. Seriously question why spending a few £00 on pet insurance isn't worth it.

But agree with subscriptions you don't use...

What a great thread!

Things I used to spend money on but now don’t:

Books (now use library and BorrowBox)
CDs (radio or YouTube)
Magazines & newspapers (not really interested)
Fancy notebooks & stationery (unused and cluttered up drawers and cupboards so gave it all away)
Ironing water (no idea why we got into buying this!)
Christmas & birthday cards & wrapping paper (gradually phased out with phone calls to replace cards and reusing gift bags instead of buying more gift wrap)
Envelopes & stamps (email or phone calls now)
Belts (one black belt pretty much goes with everything)
Jewellery & watches (kept getting broken)

Things I have that are utter shite, unused, stupid useless purchase and/or cluttering up the place:

Juicer (bought into the idea this was good for us, it is not)
Air fryer (does not cook anything properly)
Sandwich toaster (produces sloppy sandwiches not toasted)
Ice cream scoop (we all use the bent backwards spoon in the drawer)
3-in-1 divided frying pan (does not fit on my hob)
Saucepan divider baskets (we have never needed to cook three types of veg in one pan)
Fried egg dividers (obviously got a thing for ‘dividing food’. Shite and don’t sit flush in the pan)
Too many cleaning products (got sucked into the “Hinch”, spent a fortune, feel like a failure as my house is still unmanageable but I have a cupboard full of product that will last the rest of my days)

Things I will no longer be buying thanks to this thread:

Fabric Conditioner (have obviously been on autopilot my whole life and just assumed this had to be used with every wash)

I no longer buy
Magazines,
Fabric softener,
I trim and highlight my own hair since lockdown ,
I have just brought last week a air fryer, after reading on here how great they are, but I have only cooked two jacket potatoes in it at the moment.

I’ve swapped

• ready made pasta sauce jars £2+ for passata 40p and add my own herbs and spices
• branded laundry liquid for Lidls washing powder (half the price and has improved the cleanliness and freshness of my laundry)
• high heeled shoes for Fitflop trainers (not cheaper per se but now but far fewer pairs)
• liquid hand soap for bars of soap

@Devilsmommy Avon do a good BB cream and it’s cheap too. I’ve not bought foundation since.

Not sure I’d say it’s a waste of money, more a lifestyle change for me. I used to eat / drink out a LOT (like 5x week), pre covid and DC. Now more like once a month. The associated taxis / additional new clothes / hair dos etc with that were probably my main expenses.

Books. I’m reading more than ever, but I download free ebooks and audiobooks from the library apps, and we have a great charity shop that sells books 5 for £1. If only I could persuade DH that he doesn’t need “proper” newspapers or even that he doesn’t need them delivered!

The gym and exercise classes. I leant in lockdown that there are so many great workouts on YouTube. For free.

Next, I need to wean myself off Amazon Prime and health supplements. Just have to convince myself I won’t go bald if I ditch the Viviscal.

@Storynanny1
I stopped buying Clarkes shoes when my daughter was 4. They used to advertise as up to 3 months growing room. Bought a pair, she was out of them after 3 weeks. The snooty shop assistant informed my it was up to 3 months. She's nearly 35 now and has no problem with her feet, without Clarkes.

Not necessarily an expensive individual product but I used to think that buying lots of cheaper clothes was a good idea but I would never wear them as they just didn't sit right or full of static so I'm not falling into that trap so much. I also used to spend a lot getting highlights when I hate going to the hairdresser so I don't do that anymore.

When I want to impulse buy - when I click on my Amazon app - I just stick the item in the basket instead of buy now. This is saving me money - as after a couple of days I delete the item when I realise I don’t need/want in now.

Yeah, I could say exactly the same for me as well.

Heinz Tomato Soup, my much loved childhood Saturday tea.

M&S cream of tomato just as good and only 60p 😊

@overdrawn sorry to digress but … what nail kit did you go with … I’m looking to invest.

As we have a daily newspaper I've worked out how to line the kitchen bin rather than a bin liner - admittedly we compost all veg waste so what goes in the bin is mainly dry. But I've worked out how to use sheets of newspaper to make a bag shape which I can then fold over and put into the dustbin. Newspaper is also very good for drying the windows after you've washed them.

Razors, shaving foam, hair removal cream, waxing strips, epilators, waxing at salons...

I invested in a Phillips Lumea IPL thinga-mi-bob. Pricey for the initial outlay (about 400 quid), but the hundreds it's saved me, and will continue to save me, in hair removal items (and time spent on hair removal!) means it's already paid for itself.and wished I'd bought one years earlier.

And clothes. I just cannot be arsed with clothes shopping or caring about clothes. I only buy clothes if I absolutely need something for a particular occasion, or because somethings fallen to bits and needs replacing, I no longer go clothes shopping just for the pleasure of it.

And my underwear drawer.is very basic now. Plain knickers from M&S, same with the bras. They fit, they're comfy, they wash well, they last ages... done!

Fuck spending shit loads of money on annoying uncomfortable lacey tat from fancy lingerie shops that you can't wear under most clothes because they're not smooth enough or they're too colourful and show through.

Our Miele vacuum's motor broke after 23 months. I loved it while it lasted but never again.