Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
Thread gallery
5
WellPlaced · 07/09/2023 20:14

You won’t have soft fluffy towels if you keep using fabric conditioner, and more importantly, they won’t actually dry you so well

mamaworries · 07/09/2023 20:15

Can you recommend some brands please? Thanks

Wytchhazel1 · 07/09/2023 20:17

@peebles32 It's Pure henna is good. ( find it on amazon) but I've used lots of different ones over the years. look into dye release if it's not working well. You might need a different mix or to leave it longer before you apply it.

CalMeKate · 07/09/2023 20:38

I worked out after my national insurance, pension etc I earn £14 per hour and I just work out how many hours it would take me to earn it. For example, is this foundation worth 2 hours of work? Is this leather coat worth 8-9 hours of work? Is this holiday worth 6 months of work? It has definitely made me look at whether I think something is worth the value of its costs.

it hasn’t stopped me spending just made me think about what I’m doing. I refuse to work an hour for a mascara, but 30 minutes seems reasonable.

Riverlee · 07/09/2023 20:53

@CalMeKate i sometimes do that and think is that purchase worth an hour or two pay.

ClarkWGriswaldd · 07/09/2023 20:58

I'm not sure why I read through this whole thread as it was quite a depressing read tbh

I mean, yes, cost of living means lots of us have to cut back and that's understandable but I'd get no pleasure from living my life the way some people on this thread are living theirs. Some of these 'tips' are a bit bleak.

Poudretteite · 07/09/2023 21:21

ludders01 · 06/09/2023 22:35

@Poudretteite which prescription strength retinol do you use please?

I use Retirides 1%

KnittedJimmyChoos · 07/09/2023 21:36

@CalMeKate good stragety

declutteringmymind · 07/09/2023 22:53

@CalMeKate I do this! I've also have a retirement plan so if I overspend then it's xxx more hours until I finish working. I'm making much better decisions.

Groovy48592747 · 07/09/2023 23:24

Shares in racehorses. Biggest waste of money!

duc748 · 08/09/2023 00:44

ClarkWGriswaldd · 07/09/2023 20:58

I'm not sure why I read through this whole thread as it was quite a depressing read tbh

I mean, yes, cost of living means lots of us have to cut back and that's understandable but I'd get no pleasure from living my life the way some people on this thread are living theirs. Some of these 'tips' are a bit bleak.

Yeah, I agree. We only get one shot at life on this beautiful planet. I wouldn't want to spend too much of it agonising about kitchen roll.

Muthaofcats · 08/09/2023 08:03

I stopped Getting salon highlights and embraced my natural colour, turns out it suits me so much better, hair shinier than it had been since i was a teen (when I started dying) and get compliments all the time ! Saves £800 a year!

Next, cleaner ! I know controversial, but realised that the time I spend tidying for the cleaner and then they never do a great job anyway and house destroyed again by the next day so end up having to clean all week anyway. I’d say I haven’t even noticed cancelling this, same work as it was before but I save £300 a month!! £3600 a year! 🙀

I also don’t get sucked in to buying lots of clothing for myself, just wear what I have until it literally falls apart and only then will I replace it.

rookiemere · 08/09/2023 08:35

I am pleased a pair of summer shoes have literally fallen apart on me, so I can justify replacing !

I think money saving is sad if it stops you doing things you enjoy. I could never cut down on holidays for example and I really enjoy having a pool to swim in. But it no longer bothers me if I slather my face with £20 moisturiser or a £5 and it doesn't seem to matter to my face either. I do enjoy a lunch from the posh salad bar as a treat occasionally, but mostly I would rather save for holidays.

rookiemere · 08/09/2023 08:35

Groovy48592747 · 07/09/2023 23:24

Shares in racehorses. Biggest waste of money!

This is a bit niche to be fair Grin!

SecretShambles · 08/09/2023 08:50

rookiemere · 08/09/2023 08:35

I am pleased a pair of summer shoes have literally fallen apart on me, so I can justify replacing !

I think money saving is sad if it stops you doing things you enjoy. I could never cut down on holidays for example and I really enjoy having a pool to swim in. But it no longer bothers me if I slather my face with £20 moisturiser or a £5 and it doesn't seem to matter to my face either. I do enjoy a lunch from the posh salad bar as a treat occasionally, but mostly I would rather save for holidays.

I regularly buy from Boden as their combination of poor quality materials + 365 day quality guarantee means I can with 90% certainty buy a pair of shoes or boots at the beginning of the season wear them loads and have them break/wear by the end so back they go for credit rinse and repeat.
Serves Boden right for skimping on quality whilst still charging £££

shivawn · 08/09/2023 08:53

In my early 20's I used to spend a crazy amount of money on magazines. I'd buy at least 2 every day to read on my lunch break even though they all had the same crap stories. This was around 15 years ago when smart phones were new and trying to use the internet on them was pretty painful and expensive.

Raggammuffin · 08/09/2023 15:02

Same, not two a day! But I used to buy Marie Claire, red, a few others. Most ot them were 50% ads and 30% boring light weight articles or just gossip. No idea why I Bought them.

PickleDig · 08/09/2023 16:07

I stopped some of the TV subscriptions.

Switched to Tesco deliveries (much less temptation to add extras vs shopping in store).

Stopped buying make-up and cosmetics. I had loads, they last ages, so I'm using up what I had.

I stopped Amazon membership as I was buying useless tat from them.

Mrsgreen100 · 08/09/2023 17:12

processed food , all ready meals and bloody crisps
thought I had stopped that but it just crept in again
oh and cleaning products, now big commercial bicarbonate of soda , gallon of white vinegar, and cheap bleach for the loo
so much less waste in the bin too

SecretShambles · 08/09/2023 17:54

Raggammuffin · 08/09/2023 15:02

Same, not two a day! But I used to buy Marie Claire, red, a few others. Most ot them were 50% ads and 30% boring light weight articles or just gossip. No idea why I Bought them.

I used to buy loads of glossies. I think most have gone downhill, what I do now is get the odd subscription with a decent free gift if there is. Good deal no more than £2 per issue or something. If its an introductory offer I wait til I get the free gift or the offer ends then cancel.

I only really bother with Tatler now. It is pure escapism seeing how the other half live but I only get the magazine on subscription I'd never pay the shop price.

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 08/09/2023 18:30

Nancy Birtwhistle ( who was a contestant on GBBO years ago) has a very good insta account about how to save on household stuff, repurpose stuff etc.
Shes like a no nonsense sprightly granny. Even wears pearls 🙂

Definitely worth a follow.

Twentytwo22 · 08/09/2023 20:20

I don't know why people are commenting saying this thread is depressing, life's too short etc. I've found this thread to be one of my favourite threads in a long time! The tips are fantastic. What's depressing about saving money and helping the planet by not consuming unnecessarily? I actually find it makes me happy.

DuchessOfSausage · 08/09/2023 20:34

Me neither, @Twentytwo22 . It's about not buying things you can do without.

I've cut out buying a newspapers, and I really miss it. I didn't buy one every day, usually only on a Saturday and maybe one midweek, but I really miss it. Reading online is not the same.
I don't buy magazines any more and don't miss them.

Willmafrockfit · 08/09/2023 21:17

avocados currently.
mostly disappointing.

Willmafrockfit · 08/09/2023 21:24

eye brow threading, since covid,
i only got into it when dd recommended it but now, dont bother