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.

Buying a 750ml bottle of chilled bottled water for 1.80 when the 1.5l bottle is 90p

Hairdressers: I used to spend about £130 every 12 weeks getting my hair cut and dyed/highlighted. I haven't been to a hairdresser for almost 4 years now. I stopped dying it and let it just be its natural colour - and I cut it myself.

Fabric conditioner: not necessary.

Face serums: not necessary. I just use moisturiser and forget the serum.

Fruit juices: they're far too sugary anyway and don't quench thirst as well as water does.

Annual bedding plants: replaced with nature.

Sky tv - daylight robbery! We couldn’t even watch ours live for half the year, as our neighbours massive tree blocked the dish and sky told us ‘not our problem’. We realised we were mainly watching channels you get on terrestrial anyway, for the princely sum of £112.00 a month

100% agree with this.
Apart from being a waste of money, fabric conditioner creates a mountain of plastic waste which is bad for the planet.

Magazines. Perfume. Really expensive makeup and skincare.

I would third libraries.

My sister worked out she pays at least £20 per month on books and an audible subscription on top.
I think she’s mad and I don’t understand why you’d do this when you can get them for free.

I use libraries 90% of the time for borrowing books and the app to listen to audiobooks.
It’s free and helps with clutter.

I will also sometimes go to carboots and charity shops and pick up books and then I can donate them again once I’ve read them.

@oakleaffy because there are no pockets in a shroud?

I'm certainly not advocating wasting money (I am an excellent bargain hunter!) but I work hard, and what for if not for the odd treat to myself?

Absolutely. DP is a decorator and he hates using that paint... he doesn't charge any extra for using it though as a PP suggested😅

Washing capsules/tablets/liquid.

All these products start off life as ordinary washing powder and have to be made from it, so they cost a lot more, and the ordinary washing powder does the same job and costs a lot less. The boxes and packaging for all these things are also very bad for the environment.

Actually I've just discovered detergent sheets - much better for the planet because almost no packaging. And you can store them in a small space.

Healthy food (chilled). It turns out that buying it, and putting it in the fridge, isn’t enough to make you eat healthily or like things you didn’t like before. Luckily my partner will eat anything but I’ve certainly wasted my money. Now I still to the basics and what I know I like (apples, banana, carrots etc).

Pets. They drain your finances, tie you down (so you can't just make impromptu trips or stay out all day), and add extra stress to your day to day life.

@BlastedPimples how did you realise private education was a waste of money ?

Round here for GCSE private schools £18k pa and get 70% 7-9

All the comps for GCSE get 35-38% 7-9
But in comps around 10% in the behaviour unit, around 20% low ability.

So basically not sure what the difference is tbh.

When I ask people they say sports, but the local comps do same sports and at london youth games (county level) and some teams national level.

I could afford it but overpaying a BTL so my child has a home at 21. Hard to know what Im missing tbh

Also hot drinks at football matches. They are never nice enough to enjoy, and cost a fortune. I do sometimes take a flask now.

Definitely this!
I made myself sort through loads of clothes, some I've never even worn and have got £150 this month from Vinted.
During lockdown I bought loads online - stupid I know so they've gone now.
Going to set a target every month until my wardrobe is half empty!

Tiny as it sounds, liquid soap and shower gel/body wash. A pack of bar of soap lasts me three times longer and also cleans properly. Now save £10 a month by buying 3 bars of soap for £2 (3 bars last roughly 3 months). Also stopped buying expensive shampoo/conditioner. Turns out Albert balsam shampoo is far better for my hair type, gets it clean and stops the frizz and also stopped the need for any other hair care products. 1 bottle of shampoo and conditioner a month = £2 compared to the £30-40/month I used to spend on hair care products.

I have to say I’m a convert to F&B paint. We did my daughter’s room in some of the pinks and it is by far the nicest room in the house now so don’t know if I agree with that one being on the list.

Im guilty of spending on little things like coffees etc that add up. Lunches out for work are my biggest waste of money as well as takeaways. We tried to do a no takeaway/convenience food month in January and it saved us loads of money.

I am also trying to avoid cheap toys as a false economy. They are the things my children play with once, break quickly/lose interest and are basically a total waste and bad for environment. This is a much lower value saving but I’d now much rather they spent more on something they really want and will use.

Yes to the humble flask! needs to have its day again recently pulled mine out from the back of the cupboard. I make a jug of coffee instead of a cup in the morning and take the rest with me.

Sky TV, and the like. Now I use catch up and put up with a few adds. I might get Netflix for a month, watch what I want, then cancel it off. Then I might get Now TV for a month and so on. Saves a fortune

@perrieFlora
I can only speak of our experience with dd’s private school and those of her friends, who also went to her former large state school or another very large state. They are far happier there than they were at state secondary. Dd is also able to develop her interests without pressure from others and is studying GCSES she would never have considered at her former school - she changed in yr9.

Where I think it doesn’t work is if the student doesn’t want to be there. Dd’s boyfriend has just done his GCSES. His parents removed him from an outstanding rural secondary against his will - a school dd didn’t get into as it’s out of catchment. Idk if the outcome would have been different had he stayed at the state school though.

Some of the parents send their kids to dd’s school even though they’re in catchment of an incredibly highly rated state secondary. I can imagine this is necessary for some as they may not cope with the size of the school. I think dd would have been fine there as it has a private vibe to it but she still would be happier where she is currently.

Some good ideas here.

I really do need to join a library if only to stop the build up of book club novels which I don't intend to read what.

Also I've just finished my shower gel and I'm sure I have some soap lurking around which I will use instead.

Wine for more than £5 a bottle 😂 we've had to massively cut back but I do still like a cheeky glass of red wine every now and then. There is a bottle of red in Co Op that sells for less than a fiver and is perfectly pleasant. I'll never buy any other red wine again 😂

Luxury designer handbags and shoes

Really? I don't find that at all. I do in other areas mostly but not dishwasher tablets. I now only use a very specific brand after a couple of dishwasher engineers suggested it (and it really is the best).

also skincare advent calendars. Much more efficient to buy what I really need rather than some random stuff to try

Interesting about F&B. Perfectly happy with Johnstones but the decorator said he liked F&B the most if available.
Magazines..always have a look at them when doing weekly shop but now only buy if there's a feature that really interests me.
Not interested in 4x4s but must admit like a reasonably powerful not old car.