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Original poster

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

575 replies

overdrawn · 05/09/2023 10:49

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.

OP posts:
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5
blueshoes · 06/09/2023 22:48

Paperback books are no longer cheap on Amazon. So I no longer buy them and have swapped to a Kindle.

As I only have time to read when on holiday and want to relax with pretty pulpy books, I sign up to Book Bub about a week before the holiday and buy the Kindle ebooks on offer that I like the sound of (but reading the reviews on Amazon first) for 0p or 99p. If I really really want a book, I might splash out on 1.99. I can get an entire 1-2 weeks' books reading for less than 10 pounds.

Sushiandunagi · 06/09/2023 22:48

Meals out
expensive hair care
mani/pedi
organic anything
expensive wine
kids packaged snacks
poor fitting clothes/ fast fashion
premium diesel 🙈

wheredoesthetimegoplease · 06/09/2023 22:54

JamieandRoybromance · 05/09/2023 13:04

If you are a member of your local library, you will never need to buy a magazine subscription again! Our online library has a free pass to an app called BorrowBox. You put in your library card details and then you can borrow ebooks, audiobooks and, new addition, e magazines. I've read Prima, Woman, Closer, Radio times, Empire and Simply Crochet this week...all for free.

Also, with your library card log in, you can also get pressreader. You can then read pretty much every daily newspaper for free. Saves so much money if you buy newspapers regularly.

Ooh I knew about borrowboxbut not press reader. thank you

blueshoes · 06/09/2023 22:54

Since we have had dcs, we have not stay in hotels or traditional BnBs. We only go for self-catering cottages or Air BnB. So much cheaper to be able to eat some meals in and there is more space as well.

suckrifice · 06/09/2023 22:57

Mascara. I’m Scandi and from this summer and on I could no longer be bothered. All my colleagues don’t bother wearing it anyway. So eye lashes and eye brows can be light from now on, I do not care.

Blueink · 06/09/2023 23:12

Small packaging - buy bulk size shampoo etc
Cotton wool - use washable pads, wash cloth
Coffee, lunches out - take a flask of coffee/soup
Fabric softener
Tumble dryer
Spreadable butter (& Lurpak brand)
Salon treatments
Brand specific bin bags - similar <1/3 price
Disposable sanitary products - mooncup
Magazines

Gothambutnotahamster · 06/09/2023 23:14

@overdrawn can you give more details about your nail kit? Is there some sort of starter kit or how do you know what to buy?

Great you're getting yourself sorted financially.

Blueink · 06/09/2023 23:16

Agree
& I’m also in very hard water area & it’s really not needed

Blueink · 06/09/2023 23:17

This was about baking washing on the line which makes towels etc hard

Original poster
overdrawn · 06/09/2023 23:27

After reading all these posts, I’m definitely joining the local library!

OP posts:
AnnieSnap · 06/09/2023 23:29

@ASDMumof2 agreed. You are getting your insurance at a very good price. Insurance for a healthy Weimaraner age 3 and up is now well over £100 per month according to other owner I know who have it. One has had theirs increased to £197! They are a pretty healthy breed, with no extremes (long backs, short face, bulging eyes etc)!

Moulook31 · 06/09/2023 23:39

@Snipit Never thought of using charity bags for the bin. Good idea.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 07/09/2023 00:12

DuchessOfSausage · 06/09/2023 14:59

I've never figured out what hair conditioner does other than make me spend twice as long in the shower.

A good haircut doesn't have to be expensive, but it needs to be good, You wear your hair all day every day.

I definitely see a difference if I don't condition my hair. It's thick & a bit wayward if left to its own devices. I've found a range of conditioners that work for me & make it softer & easier to style/ more inclined to behave.

My money-saving tips with conditioners? A little goes a long way, so don't use too much at once; & only buy when on a twofer or threefer!

Mamanyt · 07/09/2023 00:29

Zipps · 05/09/2023 11:21

Cheap clothes and shoes - false economy
A new car
Lots of kitchen extras/gadgets
Expensive make up, perfume and lotions - cruelty free is my priority
Cut flowers
Gift sets as presents
Home decor shite and candles
Having highlights
Loads of different cleaning products
Anything to impress other people
Anything else that we don't really need

We spend our money on big stuff - holidays, motorcycles, socialising, days out.

As for the crueIty free, if you are not aware, Iook for the Leaping Bunny Award. It is issued by ttps://crueltyfreeinternational.org and to quaIify, a company must source aII ingredients from crueIty-free sources.

Reigateforever · 07/09/2023 03:26

Trixiefirecracker What did people do before kitchen roll, they had piles of tea towels which after the first cost of buying just have to be washed. However, I very rarely use mine for drying dishes etc. as I prefer draining them.

Same thing for disposal nappies, do what your grandparents had to do.

Ryeman · 07/09/2023 06:33

The thing with pet insurance is that if you don’t have it, the vet miraculously finds a cheaper way of treating the problem!

Augustus40 · 07/09/2023 06:45

Cutting my own hair. I look better than when I used to go to the unisex barbers.

43ontherocksporfavor · 07/09/2023 07:07

I never use fabric conditioner probably because my mum didn’t. Towels aren’t hard but they are absorbent. Give them a good shake before hanging out and after, before folding.

Cherrysoup · 07/09/2023 07:19

Clothes/shoes, I’m really bad for excess buying. I have given so much to charity over the years that I justify it by saying it’s my way of being charitable! I have sizes from 10-20, but am steadily losing weight so hopefully I’ll be able to just use what I have without buying lots more.

MarvellousMonsters · 07/09/2023 08:02

Make up. Absolute waste of money, no one needs it, we are just brainwashed into thinking it makes us "feel better" or that we look terrible without it. Men are fine just as they are, and so are women.

sadaboutmycat · 07/09/2023 08:08

overdrawn · 05/09/2023 11:47

Agree with all the subscriptions (and you've encouraged me to actually look into what I'm subscribed to!) but definitely don't agree with the pet insurance. We have a dog and without pet insurance we would have had to pay out thousands and thousands in vet bills... just this week I would have had to spend £200 for an ear infection, and £400 as she ate something she shouldn't have... I never want to be in a position where I can't afford treatment for her!

Same for pet insurance. And National trust- we use it and have many lovely days out for the small additional cost of fuel and a picnic!

sadaboutmycat · 07/09/2023 08:09

Trisolaris · 05/09/2023 11:53

My tip re hair is to use henna at home. (If you colour it any shade of red or brown). It doesn’t ruin your hair like buying a box dye and then just get a good haircut.

People always tell me ox due 'ruins' your hair. I've used it for 35 years... how does it ruin it please?

AInightingale · 07/09/2023 08:10

overdrawn · 06/09/2023 23:27

After reading all these posts, I’m definitely joining the local library!

Yes, I's recommend this to anyone rather than buying books. If there is a new book out you'd like to read, request it rather than buying the (very expensive) hardback, and you have a good chance of getting it. I buy used books on ebay and Amazon, click the 'preowned' tab and you will get a lot of books for a quid or so, plus a couple of pounds postage.

sadaboutmycat · 07/09/2023 08:19

Britpopbaby · 05/09/2023 13:01

Shaving cream. Neat shower gel does the same job.

Or hair conditioner- I just use the residue from my hands when I've put it on my hairSmile

Gall10 · 07/09/2023 08:43

blueshoes · 06/09/2023 22:48

Paperback books are no longer cheap on Amazon. So I no longer buy them and have swapped to a Kindle.

As I only have time to read when on holiday and want to relax with pretty pulpy books, I sign up to Book Bub about a week before the holiday and buy the Kindle ebooks on offer that I like the sound of (but reading the reviews on Amazon first) for 0p or 99p. If I really really want a book, I might splash out on 1.99. I can get an entire 1-2 weeks' books reading for less than 10 pounds.

Try Borrow Box…..I think all local libraries subscribe to it. It’s a free app that lets you download & borrow books for 2 weeks…..there’s a few thousand to choose from.
I can always find a holiday read there.