What did you used to waste money on in the past and now find incredible?

[Fortunefavours1]

I'm trying to cut out unnecessary spending (have cut down massively already) and would really appreciate some inspiration.

My question is, are there things that you used to buy in the past that you wouldn't dream of now? In fact, things that now horrify you when you think of how much you spent over the years?

Mine are:

clothes, shoes

perfumes

crap from eBay cos it was so easy to PayPal and buy

Serving bowls (goodness knows why)

kid's toys

Toiletries. I could go on but will stop there.

What's yours?

Clothes. I really try not to. I hate the waste of the fashion industry so I buy classic stuff but I still can't resist the novelty factor of new clothes.
Alcohol. I never thought I could go without it but I've surprised myself. I probably would spend 150 per month on the evil stuff.

Gym. I now walk a lot instead and it’s free.
Takeaway food.
Gadgets.

Oh his food every day when I worked at the office! I’m not hungry for breakfast till about 10am so I’d buy something on the way in, I’m both too fussy and too disorganised to make a packed lunch so I’d buy lunch, then often I’d go straight out to see friends after work (on childfree days) so I’d buy tea too.

I’m not joking, but since March I’ve saved enough on food to pay off my credit card and buy/insure/tax a car.

I had no idea what it was mounting up to!

Typos! I meant “I’d buy food every day..”

Taxis.

Acrylic nails and takeaway coffee.

Petrol going to work.. an astronomical £330 a month.. now £0

Plus increased work output

And why did it never occur to have breakfast at home? Can't say I've nothing to show for it - years of Danish pastries still on my bum!

Magazines. I used to buy them regularly, but I was flicking through Oprah magazine and I can't believe I used to pay £5 to be sold stuff.

For a period in my 30's I took a £40 taxi home form work five days a week.

I was single, lived alone, worked long hours, decent salary.

I don't do that anymore.

Loads of stuff...

Magazines, went through a phase of buying one every day!

Fake tan...only used st tropez and used it constantly...about £50 a month

Toiletries and make up in general...would regularly pop into Boots and spend over £100

I once spent £90 on a shampoo and conditioner that I'd heard was amazing...it was totally underwhelming. Dove is just as good.

Cushions. Shoes. I once bought tickets to a concert then didn't bother going 🙄 not like that any more.

Taxis, magazines, and clothes. I've spent thousands on clothes and yet I always seemed to wear the same three jumpers.

Clothes and alcohol where a big spend for me until I had ds but the past couple of years I have been mostly buying second hand clothing as fast fashion is bad for the planet. I rarely drink now maybe once a month and i only have a couple of drinks. All my money after bills went on those things. Before lock down I spent all my money on days out with ds and things for him, during lock down I spent all my money on decorating my house and moving. And during the next lock down I will probably be doing more decorating on the new house.

Interest. I was in so much debt from non essential spending and ended up paying thousands in interest. Now it's paid off I have so much spare money!

Cigs. Not holier than thou, but spent years smoking and even when I first quit I didn’t think I noticed the difference in money in my pocket but definitely have since.

Agree with food too, saved a fortune WFH and not spending a fiver on Jacket Potato, Crisps & Coke Zero everyday.

Mobile phone bills- used to sometime go above £100pcm!

Debt repayments

Childcare

Magazines- spent £30pcm even when in poverty

Private rent- worst was £1000 pcm, mortgage now half that

Wine

Going out/drinks/club entrance/taxis

Car repayments £150 pcm- never again!

Contact lenses every month

Magazines (now read through Facebook or mumsnet for real life drama).

Booze (from £5 for a glass of wine on a night (& too many of the at that!), then £5 for a bottle of wine to drink at home, now have 2 small children and probably drink 1 glass of wine a year!)

Meal deals & coffees. Can't believe I used to buy lunch every day paying £3-5 for lunch (£15-25/wk) and another £3-6 a day for a latte or two (£15-30/week).

Taxis. This is as a teenager when I only really had a small allowance and Saturday job money. In my defence I lived in a coastal areas where the towns were quite far apart and the bus service iffy/stopped early so once you had an evening social life you had to get taxis unless you drove or cadged a lift. Sometimes i got 3 or 4 taxis a day. That seems shockingly indulgent now even though I earn plenty. Admittedly I now drive and live centrally in a large city.

Cars on PCP - ridiculous waste every month.

Shoes. Ferragamo pumps 30 odd years ago for about £120. They are about £500 now. I can't believe I did it. I usually had 3/4 pairs on the go.

And Hermes scarves although I still have those. Should have them framed really.

False nails, bought my own kit to do gel polish saved a fortune.

Take out coffee! Have it once in a blue moon now as a treat

Books! I used to buy them, now I order them from the library

Clothing and shoes
Fashion jewellery
Magazines
Lots of cheaper brand make up instead of a few good quality items