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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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Jackienory · 05/09/2023 11:57

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!

I have never claimed on Pet Insurance as the Vet bill is always below the minimum of £150 plus I can get branded medication a lot cheaper online - I was quoted £200 for something I got for $32, delivered.

TheFairyCaravan · 05/09/2023 11:57

Most branded food. We started shopping in Aldi and no one really misses anything branded tbh, not even ketchup, beans or cornflakes which they all swore they would only eat branded. It saves so much money.

Dishwasher tablets we buy in Lidl after seeing them recommended on here. They’re better than any branded ones on the market imo.

Goldie2021 · 05/09/2023 12:07

This is a great thread. It’s given me some ideas on where I can start cutting back.

Scaredycatttt · 05/09/2023 12:08

Mosaic123 · 05/09/2023 11:29

Fabric softener for the washing machine. It seems totally useless.

Yes! I've stopped using it and it's made no difference what so ever, I'm not even sure what it's supposed to do

Original poster
overdrawn · 05/09/2023 12:09

@Jackienory You're very lucky then! Mine had to have two knee operations, x-rays, MRIs and hydrotherapy rehab that would have set us back more than £10k without insurance – I would have hated to not be able afford the operations or care she needed.

OP posts:
Original poster
overdrawn · 05/09/2023 12:10

@Mosaic123 I actually bought a bottle for the first time ever the other day and apart from towels (which def were softer!) can't really see much value either... I think it will be the last bottle!

OP posts:
Original poster
overdrawn · 05/09/2023 12:11

@TheFairyCaravan I'll have to try the Lidl ones! The only issue with Lidle is they don't seem to do delivery and we don't have a car, so it's not convenient to shop from there... I would love to find a budget supermarket that does delivery!

OP posts:
clotheshorsegym · 05/09/2023 12:12

Highlights. I've saved thousands and feel very foolish for all the thousands I've wasted over the years trying to force my hair into a colour it does not want to be.

Tabitha005 · 05/09/2023 12:15

HarrietStyles · 05/09/2023 11:44

New cars (especially if you are on finance) are an absolute waste of money. I used to always have a fancy new 4x4 every 3 years. Most of my friends spend £500-1000 a month on car finance and it’s just bonkers. One day we just decided to sell our expensive cars and buy two old run arounds. The money we used to spend on cars now goes into Isas and pensions. I thought I’d really miss the fancy cars……… but I just really don’t. We were pouring money down the drain.

@HarrietStyles oh, how I WISH I could convince my husband to do away with the fancy car lease! He works from home and does about 5,000 a year - it's SUCH a massive waste of money but he just flat refuses to have anything less than 3 years old sitting on the drive. It makes me SO mad. However, we're not struggling so I can't force him to get rid of the car lease and he spends very little money on anything not related to the house (DiY materials, mainly),.

peebles32 · 05/09/2023 12:18

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.

Can you recommend a henna? can't seem to find one that works.

AnxiousAmanda · 05/09/2023 12:20

Expensive skincare, haircare and makeup. The cheap stuff from Superdrug Aldi and Lidl is just as good.
New clothes - now I only buy from Vinted and eBay.
Farrow and Ball paint - I get it colour matched instead
Expensive phone upgrades - I get a SIM only deal for my old phone for £10 a month
Wine - gave it up 6 years ago, now I just have the occasional g and t

Suzi7979 · 05/09/2023 12:22

New clothes. I just buy from vinted or charity shops now.

EdithGrantham · 05/09/2023 12:25

Instant porridge oats, such a swizz!

Fishandchipsatthebeach · 05/09/2023 12:27

Brand new clothes

I only shop on Vinted or in charity shops now. Except for underwear

hdbs17 · 05/09/2023 12:29

Fast fashion.

I spent years ordering bits and pieces from Boohoo for next day delivery because I'd had an idea of a nice outfit and needed to buy it to wear for a day out or something.

I'm now working on a capsule wardrobe of good brands that I can mix and match, and all fits the same colour palette.

muchalover · 05/09/2023 12:30

I will never buy a runaround car again. Unless you have knowledge or know someone it's just money after money. I now have new but the most budget brand and love the reliability and lack of MOT.

Unions subs, I have needed union support several times. Also gets dental coverage of sorts.

Haven't been to a hairdresser in decades. I cut it myself it ask my daughter to. None of my kids ever go either. No-one ever notices realistically.

A cooked meal daily. Just me and my adult son at home so we don't cook many times a week.

I've never been on holiday. I live in a lovely part of the country. I've lived abroad too.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 05/09/2023 12:32

Clothes.
Last year I just stopped buying clothes completely and it was absolutely fine. In fact I probably reduced what I wore even more and everything is fine.

It was more the lure of wanting something new but when I started thinking about it, I really didn't need anything at all and I've saved a lot of money now!

rookiemere · 05/09/2023 12:34

Skin care - I used to buy expensive brands and now I just use Simple and a rose oil from Aldi. I think unless you know what you're doing with all the extra products , it makes very little difference.

Jackienory · 05/09/2023 12:34

overdrawn · 05/09/2023 12:09

@Jackienory You're very lucky then! Mine had to have two knee operations, x-rays, MRIs and hydrotherapy rehab that would have set us back more than £10k without insurance – I would have hated to not be able afford the operations or care she needed.

Is that for a horse ?.

Ladyoftheknight · 05/09/2023 12:37

Poor quality, expensive clothes. I love clothes shopping, and have money to do so. But I was buying clothes that didn't even last a season- they'd go bobbly or would wash badly. Now I buy better quality clothes, even if they're not expensive. Cost ≠ quality

DrNo007 · 05/09/2023 12:38

Teeth whitening kits from the dentist. Never worked for me but made my teeth sensitive.

Thebigblueballoon · 05/09/2023 12:38

Posh loo roll. I’m not suggesting you buy bog rolls of sandpaper, but eight quid a packet ones are a total rip.

Farrow and Ball paint. Not only are the tins stupidly expensive, your decorator will hate you for picking it. And they’ll charge accordingly for the unnecessary extra work.

Cheap clothes. Buying from Gucci, Chanel etc is ridiculous, but if you can save up for staple items from brands such as Ralph Lauren, LK Bennett (boots, a coat) they last for years.

Take-away pizza from Dominos, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut etc

Coconut water/ ultra posh smoothies, unless you can grab them in the sale.

Most Charlie Bigham ready meals.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr · 05/09/2023 12:39

Lenor Unstoppables - unnecessary, very expensive and left residue on clothes definitely avoid. Dettol laundry cleanser however is well worth the money.

Mouthwash - proper flossing, proper brushing and regular hygienist trips make it a waste of money and time

Mr Muscle shower shine- the pink mould doesn’t seem to appear without it

Heinz beans - the M&S 50p ones hands down best them

Chinese / Indian takeaways- Sainsbury’s and M&S meals are excellent and half the price if not more plus it doesn’t arrive lukewarm and soggy the Sainsbury’s crispy chilli beef is a revelation

jay55 · 05/09/2023 12:42

Magazines. Admittedly I grew up without internet but I carried on buying big glossies well into my 20s and I'm not sure I read half of them and I certainly couldn't fit into the clothes.

Thighdentitycrisis · 05/09/2023 12:42

@Trisolaris
i used to buy henna from Lush and it was very good. Is Lush still going?

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