10 Things Minimalists Quietly Stopped Buying That You're Probably Still Hemorrhaging Money On
Listen, we're not saying you need to live in a white box with three forks and contemplate your existence 24/7 to be a minimalist. But there are some purchases that literally everyone makes that are just... completely unnecessary? And the people who've actually decluttered their lives figured this out way before the rest of us. So buckle up, because this list is about to make you feel simultaneously attacked and inspired.
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Paper Towels (When They Have Cloth Alternatives)
Minimalists switched to cloth towels approximately 47 years ago, and honestly? They're right. You're literally throwing money into the trash every time you wipe down your counter. A $15 set of cloth towels that you wash will save you hundreds annually. Your wallet called, it wants to talk.
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Specialized Kitchen Gadgets That Do One Thing
A spiralizer. An avocado slicer. That weird egg cooker thing your mom got you. Minimalists said "no thank you" to single-use kitchen items years ago and you know what? They're eating just fine. One good knife and a cutting board? Revolutionary, apparently.
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Fast Fashion That Falls Apart After Three Wears
This is the big one. Minimalists ditched the H&M hauls and invested in like... five pieces that actually last. Sure, it costs more upfront, but you're not buying new jeans every six weeks because the zipper broke. The math is mathing.
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Decorative Pillows Nobody Actually Uses
Those 47 throw pillows on your bed that you have to remove every night? Minimalists sleep on like one pillow that serves an actual purpose. Revolutionary? No. Saving them $200/year on unnecessary home décor? Absolutely.
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Subscription Services You've Forgotten About
That meditation app you paid for in January? The streaming service you're not watching? The protein powder subscription you said yes to once? Minimalists regularly audit these and cancel immediately. While you're still being charged, probably.
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Plastic Storage Containers (The Endless Buying Cycle)
You know that drawer full of mismatched containers? Minimalists keep like four matching ones and that's it. No more buying "just in case" storage because let's be real, you'll just accumulate more stuff to fill it. It's a trap.
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Books You'll Never Read
Okay controversial take: Libraries exist. Your local library has books. You don't need to own them. Minimalists have like 12 books they love instead of 200 books collecting dust. Plus, libraries are free. Need we say more?
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Expensive Cleaning Products for Every Surface
One bottle of vinegar and some baking soda costs like $5 and minimalists use it for everything. Meanwhile, you've got a cabinet full of specialized cleaners for your hardwood vs. your tile vs. your grout. It's giving organized chaos energy.
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Brand-New Seasonal Decorations
Halloween decor. Christmas stuff. Easter baskets that look different every year. Minimalists have like five neutral decorative items that work year-round and you know what? Their homes still look cute. Shocking, but true.
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Makeup You'll Never Finish
That beauty haul you did? You're using maybe 3 products regularly. Minimalists pared their makeup down to like five things and it actually gets used. Plus, less expired foundation sitting in your bathroom is just... better. For your skin. And your wallet.
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Cable TV Packages With Channels You Never Watch
You're paying $150/month for 300 channels and you watch three. Minimalists cut the cord, grabbed a streaming service or two, and saved enough for an actual vacation. The choice is yours, but it seems obvious.
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Duplicate Chargers and Cables
How many USB cables do you own? Minimalists keep ONE of each, properly organized. You've probably got like 47 cables in a drawer, mysterious and purposeless. Time to spring clean, honestly.
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Premium Phone Cases and Accessories Every Season
A good phone case costs $15. You don't need the new color every three months. Minimalists buy one durable case and keep it moving. Wild concept, but it works.
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Self-Care Products You're "Saving For Special Occasions"
The fancy bath bombs, the nice hand cream, that expensive face mask, minimalists use them immediately or don't buy them. Hoarding expensive products in your bathroom "for later" just means they expire unused. That's not minimalism, that's sad.
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Duplicate Tools and Hardware You're "Pretty Sure You'll Need"
Do you actually need five hammers? No. Minimalists have a small, thoughtfully curated toolbox with items they've actually used before buying. Not items they think they might use someday in a hypothetical scenario.
The bottom line? You don't have to become a full minimalist to steal some of these habits. Start by unsubscribing from things you forgot existed, recycling duplicate kitchen gadgets, and maybe, just maybe, waiting 30 days before buying something to see if you actually need it. Your bank account will thank you, and honestly? So will your living space. Now go forth and declutter (but like, thoughtfully).