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.

@Hoogieflip i totally misread your thread at first ‘store in a wee box’ i initially imagined a potty or something similar. Then I realised you meant little, not urine!

I regulary use vinegar, but what recipe do you use to clean glass, mirrors and plastic shower doors, please?

If paper towel is wet but clean, I just let it dry and reuse it.

I save electricity by pressure cooking a few pounds of potatoes at a time, in their skins. They keep well for a few days in the fridge. They can be baked, or peeled then chipped or mash.

@OLDERME , if you clean them regularly one part vinegar to one part water is fine.

Who actually “need..(s)to stay in a fancy hotel” versus someone wanting to, though?

I don’t have an annual week holiday or expensive trips overseas anymore, but do get away for a few days in the U.K.

I like fancy hotels and camping 😅

Camping is my idea of misery. Why leave a comfortable bed for a camp bed. Just don’t get this camping as a holiday of choice!

Clinique, especially the facial soap. Even the gentlest one ripped the top lay of my skin off.

When I was on a tight budget I stopped buying takeaways and made home made chips with frozen battered fish. I also stopped going to the pub and took £4 bottles of wine down to the beach with friends instead! Probably can't do that now we have kids but could invite friends round for drinks.

Anything I can now borrow from a library. Tools.
Magazines.
Books
Audible books
Music
Films
Magazines (again, I wasted SO MUCH money on mags. Too much. Ugh)

@Lalalalala555 I agree about many of these but not 'rent somewhere cheap' especially as you said below about doing life enhancing things. We pay a pretty penny to live where we do but I do find it life enhancing. I could live somewhere similar in terms of house for half the money but it would totally detract from 'life enhancement' so we don't. The only things in life for me that are non negotiable (budget permitting of course) are living somewhere I like a lot in well kept accommodation and good quality food and I don't like camping. I realise others priorities may differ.

All new school uniform at the start of every new school year. This is the first year that I didn’t buy any new jumpers and cardigans and it has saved lots of money and their uniforms are perfectly fine! I usually size up, so they still fit.

@Riverlee 😂sorry, sometimes I forget I'm Scottish!

You speak as though there was nothing in between a tent and a hotel. `There are hostels, bunkhouses, B&B’s - all sorts really

Really interesting how different views are.

I personally like camping. Although it's not luxury in the sense of staying with home comforts, I actually find it more relaxing when it's wild camping. It helps me switch off from the made up realities of modern life, and feel much more relaxed and in tune with the natural world.
Sitting by a campfire, watching a meter shower, seeing the sunrise, being appreciative of very basic food, not being overwhelmed with options, not being connected to digital world, being away from people, smell of fresh clean air.
And the adventures you can have.

There are lots of different tents. Can get bigger tents and have a living space and stay on a campsite.

But there are other places to stay besides camping that are cheaper than holiday cottages and hotels.

Yes it's nice to have luxury, but the post was about saving money.

And there is a lot of merit, I think, in living life to the full and not being too precious. Really thinking about what does bring joy.

Cheaper accommodation : camping, bivi, camping barn, bothy, yha, climbing club huts, outdoor centres, village halls, boats, coach surfing, sharing a holiday cottage with friends, some b and bs.

I personally find I am happier going away more and having adventures, than having one more expensive luxury holiday.

Having a weekend away for not very much is nice. Because it means with life can see a lot :)

I couldn't afford to have done the things I have if I didn't save on accommodation. It was worth saving on in my view because I feel like I've lived.

And it's usually quite enjoyable. Sometimes memorable more than enjoyable. But there is merit in not always going for the easiest most comfortable option

With renting. Yes it's nicer to live somewhere nicer.
But you can get by living somewhere cheaper and smaller.
And the amount you can save per month doing that can be considerable in the uk.

Depends what your earning.
But if you're saving £300 pm. If you reduce your rent by £300, you could be saving £600 pm which means you'd reach your financial goals in half the time. Worth considering though not everyone's cup of tea.

Throwing ideas out there. As luxury/comfort is a trade off with cost.

Cotton t.shirts and vests that are only fit for the bin, make excellent free cleaning cloths. I just cut the fronts and backs off them to use. You can wash them too obviously to use again.

My MIL used to use old cotton knickers for that too. 🙄🤣

Is my mum your MIL? 😯🤣

Oh my god, yes! Although I’ve never been one for buying a new uniform each year and don’t really understand those who do. Wasn’t there a report last year by a charity that estimated parents spend ‘on average’ £400 or something a year on uniforms? I couldn’t believe it. Most years the only things I buy new are shirts and shoes.

I bought a henna dye. It went in the bin… too much faffing…. Instructions said to stir it in natural Greek yogurt and leave for several hours, then apply and again leave for ages…. Who has the time?

Plus, if you have greys, it makes them bright orange!

Oh blimey, I just bought a henna dye yesterday.

Then I saw the updates here.

I have red undertones which I don't like, so went for the brown. I am quite dubious about using it now. Never mind the fact it needs to be mixed with water and seems like it will be really runny. I can see me making a proper mess as I don't dye my hair at home usually. This money saving idea doesn't seem all that great anymore.

Honestly, henna is worth it. Mix indigo and henna powder with conditioner and hot water, put it on and leave it in. You get the consistency of a hair mask so not messy. Work or potter for a few hours in your glamorous clingfilm cap. The indigo plus henna gives you a nice deep brown. Yes you'll need to have a few hours but it gives a good natural colour plus makes your hair healthy. When it grows out it also fades, so you don't end up with a shelf of colour. I swear by it.

Where do you buy your henna please?

Just ebay, there are several providers but just make sure it's pure henna powder and pure indigo powder. Two separate products. No weird formulas with other stuff.

Henna is a sensitiser which can cause someone to be highly allergic to it after an exposure. So I'd be super cautious using it.