Today on Reaping Money, let’s talk about saving money. Creating wealth has different layers; making money, saving money, investments and more.
We keep on buying unnecessary stuff overtime that keeps on piling and cluttering your space.
I’m here to deinfluence you. You don’t need to be another hoarder and keep yourself trapped. Here is a list of 25 Things Not To Buy To Save Money in 2025.
These habits could be costing you over $1,500 a year if you go daily. That’s a vacation, a new laptop, or a serious boost to your savings!
25 Things Not To Buy To Save Money
Here are 25 unnecessary items or expenses you can cut to save money:
1. Coffee
Make coffee at home instead of buying out daily.
Sipping coffee on your way to the office looks cool but only on Netflix.
If you’re swinging by a café every day, those $5 (or more) drinks can quietly drain your wallet.
Do the math, just a few trips a week can add up to hundreds of dollars a year!
Instead, consider making your coffee at home. A decent coffee maker, some quality beans, and maybe even a milk frother can give you that barista-level experience for way less.
And if you still crave the café vibe? Treat yourself to a coffee shop visit once a week rather than making it a daily habit. Your bank account will thank you.
Using a habit tracker can help you with it.
2. Bottled Water
Bottled water is a thriving industry in the US. All thanks to our fellow Americans.
According to a 2024 survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), 88% of Americans consume bottled water.
The U.S. faces substantial difficulties in recycling plastic waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only 13.6% of plastic containers and packaging were recycled in 2018, with nearly 70% ending up in landfills.
Spending money on bottled water is a no. It’s unnecessary and overpriced. Most bottled water brands are just filtered tap water, but with a hefty markup.
Instead, grab a reusable water bottle and a filter if needed. You’ll save hundreds of dollars a year, reduce plastic waste, and never have to deal with overpriced water at gas stations or airports again.
Plus, many places offer free refill stations, making it even easier to stay hydrated without spending a dime.
3. Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is designed to be cheap and trendy, which might make you think you’re getting a deal.
But in reality, those $15 shirts and $30 dresses quickly add up. The allure of cheap, disposable clothing encourages impulse buying.
The problem? These garments often don’t last, leading to more frequent replacements.
If you’re buying low-quality items every month, the cost over time becomes much higher than investing in higher-quality, durable clothing.
The environmental toll of fast fashion is shocking. The industry contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions, with about 85% of all textiles going to landfills each year.
You’re not only paying for the clothes but also supporting an unsustainable industry that relies on cheap labor and materials that harm the planet.
All thanks to your impulsive purchases, clothes will keep piling on with you still having nothing to wear. Also welcome your new companions, cluttered space and mental load.
Not to forget, the cost of storage and maintenance.
Here is a guide on investing in a wardrobe capsule that can save you hundreds in the long run as they last years versus months.
4. One-Time Wear Clothing
One-time wear clothing is similar to fast fashion in essence, but on the contrary in the spectrum.
It is sold as a high-priced premium quality product that would last long.
But what about reusability? It would last long, fine. But am I getting to wear it again?
Think expensive wedding dresses, prom dresses, party wear and more. At times, we don’t wanna repeat clothes. Sometimes, it’s the theme or courtesy restrictions.
When purchasing clothes, you’ve to think backward.
Wrong Way:
Getting that cute top and planning a whole outfit to go along.
Correct Way:
Planning a whole outfit that would go with other pieces then grabbing the top.
5. Latest Tech
Upgrading to the latest tech is one of the best ways to stay poor.
Upgrading your iPhones every year is a trap that’ll keep you living from paycheck to paycheck.
In my opinion, it is the deep rooted habit of showing off and people pleasing.
A vicious loophole that most of us are already a part of.
But you’re here reading this (boring!) article, you’ve already broken halfway free. The other half? Lies in your implementation.
Instead, use devices as means of work and entertainment. You should invest in a good DSLR for your money-making side hustle because that’s not a liability but an asset.
6. Car Wash
Car wash! You can always do it at home. I know time is money but car wash ain’t a few dollars and we all know that.
Washing your car at home, especially when you’re looking to cut costs is a great economical option.
7. Takeout / Dining Out
Respectfully calling out dining out or takeaway enthusiasts! Cook meals at home and meal prep for the week.
Cooking at home is therapeutic and one of the best frugal hacks to save money. You don’t cut out on food but unnecessary food.
So no more grabbing a pizza when vegetables are rotting in your refrigerator.
Plan and stick to it. You can still do a monthly takeout if you want to. But exercise control and plan smartly.
8. Greeting Cards
Yeah, another DIY preacher here. I feel DIY cards are much more meaningful than store ones.
A heartfelt message, a handwritten letter, and a DIY card, all you need. It works for me. Works for mostly all genuine connections.
9. Alcohol
Alcohol makes for a large chunk of your money. Be it for consuming or gifting, it’s a culprit for sure.
Not only does buying alcohol eat your money but when drunk you spend more money unnecessary treating others.
Stopping alcohol and being sober is a great gift you can give yourself.
Again, if a strict no doesn’t work for you, start off by cutting down gradually. Remember, consistency is the key.
10. Spices
Grabbing spices for everything just because I’ll need it in the near future.. Yeah a big no.
I’m not a chef and I don’t need so many spices just because I can get it.
11. Plastic Bags
You definitely know how plastics are not 100% recyclable. Getting a bag all the time, another piling up of cash.
12. Purses
Getting a bag, or purse or something as they go by so many names is another no. Being fashion savvy and splurging money on “ice purse” or “micro mini purse” or “transparent purse”, no thank you.
Sometimes, I feel they don’t sell dresses with huge pockets or just pockets because they want you to buy purses all the time.
Have you ever noticed the denim jeans pockets for male vs females. Don’t even get me started on Pink Tax and Pay Disparity.
13. Paper Towel
Know this might not be for everyone but using paper towels all the time doesn’t work for me.
Cloth towel is a more sustainable option that finally I’ve got used to. It’s one of my tiny wins!
14. Planner
As someone who watches numerous planner flip throughs, reviews before finally zeroing on one, this one is huge!!
It worked for me, and may or may not work for you. But this made a huge difference.
Getting planner and filling in felt like a duty. It was overwhelming as the year progressed. It started off good, stayed consistent for as long as 100 days.
Followed by a downward graph, small days gaps, eventually becoming monthly gaps; recalling feels like a nightmare.
All of my expensive fancy planners were just sitting idle. I even used previous years dated planners by overwriting the year!
A simple To Do List on a sticky note pad is what works for me. 3 main tasks, simple.
15. Holiday Decor
We all love Holiday cheer. Not only Christmas or Thanksgiving, all the Holidays!
But getting in festival cheer doesn’t mean rushing to Costco or Target and grabbing all the decor.
I have realized the hard way, that we spend more when emotions take the better of us, either for good or bad.
Always take the DIY route and this is coming from someone who isn’t that great with DIYs. But it works.
Spending on a wholesome meal and get together during holidays is more worth it than decor IMO.
16. Single-use Period Products
This one again ties with sustainability and makes for a great economic option. One time period products are so money consuming if we’re being real.
Pads and tampons should be distributed freely if you ask me. Every public washroom should store some.
But coming out of my La La Land, exploring sustainable period products is something we all must give a go.
17. Impulsive Social Media Purchase
You know when you see something cute online and casually browse through the eCommerce website only to be bombarded by the ads.
These ads are gonna follow you everywhere until you give in.
Impulsive social media purchases are a huge wallet strainer. You see it, like it and get it.
You get bored of it. Then it joins your clutter club. Mugs, Cups, Phone Cover, hoarding alert.
18. Unnecessary Influencer Influenced Products
Influencers influence you to purchase unnecessary items. Mostly promoted as cute, cool or oh so handy and life savior.
These promoted products are mostly Amazon products because they earn commission each time you purchase.
Not only restricted to Amazon, it can easily vary. They may earn recurring commission while you burn a hole in your pocket.
Tik Toks, Reels and YouTube Shorts, they’re everywhere! They’re marketed in such a gimmicky fashion that gets you to spend cash.
Don’t fall for it. Instead follow this tip.
48 Hour Rule – Hold off from buying anything for at least 48 hours. Take a step further by imagining how the product will feel when you hold it, how will it make you feel, etc. Most of the time, we want our hands on stuff for the thrill and not actual usage.
19. Organization Box
I’m pretty sure you must have watched those satisfying TikTok hoarding organization videos.
These videos are made with the sole purpose of selling those ‘Finds’. Ain’t nobody doing it for fun.
They earn commission, brand deals and money, while you hoard stuff and raise clutter.
20. Sodas and Sugary Drinks
Yeah, sugary drinks and I am not even a health freak. But I am mindful of what goes in to the vessel called my body.
Anyhow, cutting down or even minimizing unnecessary sugar intakes is a win-win. Your wallet and body, both will thank you.
Of course you can have cheat days or something, but reducing will help a lot. You’ll feel better too in the long run.
21. Generative AI
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against AI. But I do not support that version of AI that’s shutting down the creativity of humans.
AI for doing taxes, AI for booking cheapest flights, AI for stock and market trends – Yes please. Take my money because you’re helping me make or save money.
Generative AI that’s writing books and poems? Nope. I need real human authors and poets please.
22. Meal Kits
Stop using expensive services right now! These are so unnecessary and can be easily done all by yourself.
I recommend you to plan meals yourself rather than getting meal kits.
23. Gifts
The habit of getting gifts for every occasion and event is burning a hole in your pocket.
Inexpensive or not, these definitely add up overtime. Get out of this habit! Go for DIY or experience-based gifts instead of expensive items.
24. Gym Memberships
Come 1st of January, we all are “get set go” with our New Year’s Resolution list.
Regardless of whether you lose weight or not, gyms definitely gain a lot.
Gym Membership isn’t worth it if you’re not a high key gym enthusiast.
You can always go for home workouts or outdoor activities. Remember the “great isolation period”? We all got creative somehow.
25. Streaming Services
Streaming services! Netflix and Chill?! If you have many subscription services, go through the list and analyze what all you actually need.
Just cancel unused subscriptions or you can rotate them monthly. What we consume is quite crucial for our mind.
26. Air Fresheners / Scented Candles
Air fresheners are unnecessary! They are bad for the environment and health.
Scented candles too. Do yourself a favor and stop purchasing them.
Instead go for DIY scents that make your home smell fresh and amazing all the time.
By combining these strategies, you can effectively reduce unnecessary spending and build financial stability.
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