10 Things I No Longer Buy | Family Minimalism

Creating a minimalist home and a more simple environment starts with our consumption and spending. Becoming a minimalist doesn’t mean you own one shirt and a pair of pants. It means buying less for me long term. Goodbye things that clutter and cost too much money!

I have been incorporating both posts and videos together to give my readers the option! If you prefer videos, you should check out my YouTube Channel. 

What I Don’t Buy Anymore

1. Plastic Water Bottles

For our home, we have made a family effort not to buy plastic water bottles. They are expensive and wasteful. However, I do think that there is a time and place for plastic water bottles such as traveling overseas where the water isn’t safe to consume for example. 

My favorite water bottle to carry around in my hydro flask with this lid. My kids love these Camelback water bottles even more than their hydro flask. 

2.  Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets are filled with chemicals and toxic fragrances. They are incredibly expensive and I do not miss buying these suckers! Instead, I buy these wool dryer balls. I love the way they look in my laundry room and they do an awesome job at keeping the static away. 

3. Subscriptions of ANY KIND

I think these serve purposes for some people, but for our family subscriptions such as magazines, gyms, food services, online services, and car washes do not add value. It falls in the camp of “stuff you don’t need but want.” I like to wash our car in the driveway with kids helping, go for a run outside or workout in our home gym in the garage, and make our food from scratch! 

4. Air Fresheners + Artificial Scents

Instead, we opt for essential oils diffusing throughout the house as well as fresh air from outside. If you are interested in essential oil education and home remedies check out Our Oily House. Laura has a great website and YouTube Channel to follow. I get an instant headache when I walk through the aisle in the grocery store that contains all of the Febreze candles and fake chemical-induced scents. 

5. Character Sheet Sets For Beds

For the kid’s bedding, I like to buy simple white linens with a duvet to top it. I bought this cute pinstripe duvet off of Amazon and I also love our Bamboo Sheets because of how soft they are. There is something cheap and scratchy about character sheets, and they also do not grow with your kids and their interests. More money is spent on cheap sheets versus just investing in a nice neutral pair from the get-go. 

6. Brand New Baby Gear

Buying brand new baby gear is expensive and it takes up a lot of space. I like to buy used from a local kids consignment shop in my area. When my child outgrows the item, we turn it in for store credit or cash and move on. It is very cost-effective and planet conscious because of its multi-use for other families. 

Many times we do this with kid’s toys too. A lot of second-hand and used! 

7. Manicures + Pedicures

I know these services do not take up space in your home, but they take a lot of money! For one manicure it costs me nearly $50.00 which is more than 1 full tank of gas for one week of driving. For a manicure and pedicure, it is right around $70. Unless it is a gift I am not willing to spend the money when I can do a fairly good job for free (close to free) at home. 

8. Souvenirs

I love traveling (pre-covid that is). Becoming a minimalist, or even just leaning more toward minimalist living does not include buying trinkets and souvenirs. They serve no purpose except for supporting the local countries you are visiting in some cases. 

I love myself a full album of photos from the trip we have taken versus a suitcase full of stuff. I love making my photo books on Snapfish. 

9. Single Item Kitchen Gadgets

Efficient kitchens are not crammed full of stuffed drawers full of kitchen gadgets that serve one purpose. Examples are strawberry hullers, potsticker makers, avocado pitter). My favorite kitchen items are my Vitamix blender, dutch oven, and a cast-iron skillet. So many versatile uses for killer at-home meals! 

10. Disposable Razors

You may be scratching your head at this one. In the last year, I switched over to using this Rockwell Safety Razor and literally cannot tell the difference! The shave is the same and the blades last as well as the razor. They have a lifetime warranty. 

I learned about these razors on the website BuyMeOnce, where the author does ALL the research for you regarding the best products that have lifetime warranties. 

Goodbye disposable razors that end up in the landfill!

SIMPLE INSPIRATION

I hope this gave you some inspiration to start consuming less in the long haul, even if they are disposable items that won’t stay in your home forever. Buying less plastic, harmful chemicals, and rethink services that may be costing you more than they are worth is a place to start!