Things I don’t do. Celebrating with myself 39 money saving & minimalistic habits I have.
Theres a lot I don't do to save money and I forget that sometimes what you dont do is just as important as what you do.
I don’t own a TV. If I want that effect - I’ll set up my workshop projector in the lounge and beam it onto the wall, link it to my phone and watch it from that.
I don’t upgrade to a new phone each time. I’m currently on at iphone 13 pro and have had this for over 2 years. Tec in Videography hasn’t jumped enough for me to justify a new one. I also don’t buy the fancy phone accessories - I have a $7 cover from Office-works on my iPhone.
I don’t buy pantry staples when they are not on special. I try and work out the 3, 6 or 9 months’ worth supply I would need to get me through the time and then buy in bulk. I look across all the shops once a week. Saves a fortune. Literally halves my shopping over the course of the year and the saving in time/effort/petrol is pretty wild. Wednesday is the day when the prices change.
I don’t leave switches on. Lights, appliances etc. The fridge and freezer are the only ones that get left on constantly. The difference in cost is 7 time depending on if you have LED or incandescent light bulbs - they deep dive into that here. I get fidgety & can’t even stand being in someone else’s house with the lights on during the day. I think because I just adore natural light.
I don’t have an Alexa. Or pay for Spotify or have a Netflix account. Sarah used to get it for the month that she would fly to and from Perth with the boys so that they could access movies for the flights - but I don’t need it. I use the SBS and ABC apps - sometimes Channel 9 or 10…but I’m not a really large fan of TV in general. I’d-rather listen to a podcast. I may read into a podcast if I get time.
I don’t have Apple Watch. Or a Fitbit. I haven’t felt like I’m missing out yet…
I don’t go to the movies much. This is probably something I do once a year. With a membership at RACT you get discount for about $15.50 a show. I’ll just wait till things become mainstream.
I don’t do impulse purchases. I created a list of things I need on my phone and then I just buy those things. A few people were doing this and it seems to work - and it really stops you from just flat out buying. Currently I’m looking for a large soft wool jumper for winter, a work apron, brass handles for the kitchen, calligraphy ink, good linen tea towels. I’ll wait till these are on special or pop up on marketplace.
I don’t do fashion. I have a style that just involves wearing classic linen layers over thermals - & wear a Cargo Crew Apron over that. It’s a uniform for me.
I dont carry a handbag. I use pockets. I have a larger canvas bag for my laptop & books or carrying things, but otherwise I just carry a phone with me in an apron pocket. $10
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I don’t do protein shakes or weigh loss foods. $2 a day = $730 a year
I dont get my hair or dyed. Sarah hasn’t cut hers in the last 5 years & I havent since 2010. I don’t dye my hair for the last 5 either. I embrace them as ‘wisdom streaks’ & just put flowers/greenery in my hair to dress things up. I even have a Pinterest board of ‘old grey ladies that look good’ for inspiration. .
I don’t do cheap powdered coffee. I buy a cafe coffee when I’m out once a week in my local town on a Wednesday at Communion or on the way to Hobart at The franklin post office.
I don’t do a trip to town without doing 3 things at the same time. Saves fuel. Usually have box of clothes, jars in the boot or a list. I tell my neighbours if I’m going so they can get things picked up too.
I don’t do my nails. I just don’t even do it - I’ll put a lick of nail clear polish and thats about it. I don’t have a beauty subscription to anything. I don’t do botox, injectables, fake tan or eyelashes.
I don’t buy shoes. Since living in Tasmania I wear Blundstone Boots pretty much anywhere - to the beach, out to dinner, even to fancy like weddings/balls. I have a pair of runners from On Running which I get at the June/July sale and the waterproof ones so they double as ‘hiking shoes’ and have a pair of leather FMB Ive had for a decade. I own RM william’s but I’ve had them for over 2 decades now. I have a few pairs of leather/canvas deck shoes & slip on garden shoes that I have picked up at opshops. But that is it. Less than 10 pairs. If I need fancy things up - previously I’ve picked something secondhand with a heel for $5, sloshed glue on them and rolled them in a ‘matching colour’ glitter, ribbon or stuck a snip off a feather bower on the front.
I dont buy hard copy books - I do audio books (cookbooks are an exception). You can get books at the library - theres a stack of recommendations here. If they are very very good, then I’ll often purchase them for my apple library.
I don’t buy disposable pads. I use Modi Bodi and Bonds period knickers.
I don’t buy cotton pads - I just use cut up old towels into face wash size.
I don’t buy decorations - large stick Greenery from around the house in vases.
I don’t buy washing power - I make my own. You can make the washing by just cooking off baking soda for an hour at 400 degrees - just store it in an airtight jar once cooled. My current Recipe; 2 bars Pure Laundry Soap + 2 cups Bicarbonate of Soda+ 1 cup Washing Soda + 1 cup Borax+ 20 drops of eucalyptus/lavender essential oil.
I don’t buy single use clothes. I have to make it get down to at least $5 dollar value. Thus if something was $40 then I’d have to wear it at least 8 times.
I don’t do ‘that’s your colour towel’ I just have a pile + if you need one you get it, then hang it on your door so that you can reuse it. Less hassle.
I don’t buy magazine subscriptions. I just recently stopped this across my life and now have none. I read them in the library, online or in the Woolies isles if I have time. I often just take a snap of the page I like. I have a neighbour that passes on hers too or I’ll pick up old copies for 20c-50c in opshops if I see something I want to keep.
I don’t buy name brand products from the chemist - I just buy generic version.
I don’t buy cheap gear. It just breaks or disintegrates easier. Never lasts. When I do spend money - it’s in quality heirloom brands but second hand. I’d rather pay $100 for a barely used Le Cruset pot on gumtree than $700 in the shop. Takes much longer to find - but thats half the fun.
I don’t buy plastic containers. Everything is in jars - exception to this is the pantry ones that I keep dry goods in and the mice out. I look for swing top Italian jars and Maccona small coffee jars. Great inspiration online there too.
I don’t buy stuff as presents. I can’t do it - I just buy experiences for birthdays/Christmas and spend money on outings/workshops or events - for me it’s more about memories not actually things. Kids can buy what they like, with their own money, over the year at anytime.
I don’t buy main course when eating out. I always buy either entrees or dessert or both. Or a few sides. Turns always out to be better value - and if I’m saving money, I’ll eat at home before I go out and buy something less.
Don’t buy bottles of water - unless theres no water around + I’m terribly parched . I’ll drink from any tap.
I wear only black socks - then it doesn’t make a difference if they are odd and they always ‘match’.
I don’t do door-dash or Uber eats. In-fact I’ve never done it. I don’t even know if it’s a thing this far south in Tasmania. I certainly haven’t tried.
I don’t buy subscriptions products - like beauty or gin etc…
I don’t buy wrapping paper. I use kids drawings, newspaper or recycled paper that comes into the house. I don’t buy cards either. Old art work pieces cut up work a treat or just a note written directly onto the package itself. I have a box of 1000 swingtags that I use - and will probably use all my
I don’t buy flowers. Mine are found from foraging from the side of the road or from the garden. My old secateurs live in the glove box (along with an oyster/pocket knife.) and a forages bag in the boot so If I see something I can take a-little home.
I don’t buy fabric to make clothes - I up-cycle second hand clothes
I don’t buy supplements - I try and use the food that I eat to get the basics and then I find that I need I get b12 + iron infusions. I’m trying to regulate my health from food that I eat so sitting out in the sun, and getting more leaf greens are inorder. I get a blood test every year so that I can benchmark each year what is going on and its creates a ongoing profile of how I’m tracking
I don’t buy fizzy drinks. For our wedding I bought a InFizz from Breville - as it was hell cheaper to get that instead of getting boxes of fizzy drinks. It’s a-little special soda stream as you can refizz any liquid. Think wine, flat cordial etc… not just water. We are still on our first canister too. Thats 4 going strong. I rarely use it but it’s quite nice to have these Autumn afternoons.
I don’t buy condiments - I make them. Or get given them. And after my fridge dying the other day, I discovered that it was mainly filled with half filled jars of condiments - so I’m now working on a ‘base lot’ and just going to make them in bulk and not have so many different types.
In other event news:
Theres a Deep South Blues event at Southport this weekend here. Tix $15
Dearna Bond has a photography workshop next month on May 18th. Tix here
The Bowmont has a ‘Fancy Grannie Supper’-I’m June 8th. Other dates here
Enjoy your week folks….
x LJ.
These are all brilliant Jo
Loved reading the list and took pleasure in similar actions that we've taken. Keep sharing. Keep encouraging!