The Most Popular Items You Don’t Need to Keep Buying

Advertisements are literally everywhere these days, and it feels nearly impossible to scroll social media, watch a show or even take a stroll down the street without being informed about the latest and greatest new products and why we need to buy them immediately.

It's easy to give in to the temptation, but we often find that the thrill of our latest purchase is fleeting. Not only do we get bored with what we buy, but we feel that regret in the form of ever-building clutter in our homes and the dent in our bank accounts. Buying things just because they're hot or new winds up being wasteful and unsatisfying, and we're trying to move away from that consumer culture in an attempt to be more mindful instead. If you're trying to do the same, we have some suggestions on the thing you don't have to keep buying below. The environment (and your wallet) will thank you.

Water Bottles

We understand that there's an entire culture around reusable water bottles, but with the on-trend bottle seemingly changing every season, it's very expensive to keep up. It's great that more sustainable bottles with practical, insulated interiors have become the norm, but if you're buying a dozen different bottles in every cute color, are you really doing anything to reduce waste?

We suggest really doing your research to find the one bottle that best suits your lifestyle in terms of features and aesthetics before making the leap. If you find a bottle that'll be great for the gym, but not home or work, look into other options that'll tick all of your boxes. That away, even if it's a pricier option, you won't regret it because it'll basically last you a lifetime while also putting your unique style on full display.

(via Unsplash)

 

Cell Phone Cases

You probably only have one cell phone, so why do you need multiple cases? Some people seem to swap their cases as often as they change outfits, which can take up a lot of space at home without serving a purpose other than making your phone look cuter. Most cases are also made of plastic, and that can become extra wasteful when you upgrade your phone and suddenly have a whole stock of cases that don't fit your current device. As with water bottles, we suggest finding one case with the features you love—whether that's extra protection from falls or just a cute, meaningful design—and sticking with it through your phone's lifespan.

(via Shutterstock)

 

Also read about: 6 Small Ways to Treat Yourself on a Budget

 

Journals, Notebooks and Sketchbooks

We're extra guilty of buying more journals, notepads and sketchbooks than we could ever practically need. While it's okay to utilize multiple types of these books for different purposes, we do recommend being intentional and only buying new ones with a specific use in mind. Don't make new purchases if you have a stack of these books at home that you haven't touched, and avoid anything that might be "too cute to write in," because it'll likely go unused forever. Pre-dated planners can be another pitfall. If you've failed many times to use them in the past, don't invest in a new one promising that this time, it'll turn your life around. Buy based on your actual habits, not imagined ones.

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Measuring Cups

You'll notice that the majority of this list consists of kitchen items, as cooking "innovation" leads to many pointless gadgets and gizmos. We'll start with a more practical point by saying that if you have multiple sets of kitchen measuring tools, you might already have more than you need. Even when you're cooking up a storm, you really only ever need one measuring cup for liquids (we like the classic glass ones) and one good set of measuring spoons for dry items to get the results you want. Unless you're sharing a kitchen and preparing multiple items at once, more is simply excessive.

Chances are that there's one set you already gravitate to because they're the most practical. A new set might be prettier or more whimsical, but likely won't replace those go-to's, and any items that live permanently in your drawers or cupboards can be donated or passed along to the next generation of chefs and bakers.

(via Shutterstock)

 

Single-Use Kitchen Tools

Kitchen storage can quickly get cluttered up with tools that are only practical for one highly specific use. If you don't see yourself using the new gadget all the time, don't buy it—especially if you already have something at home that can also get the job done. Unless you really need them for accessibility, single-use tools often cause more hassle than they're worth (even if they're so cute you can hardly resist buying them).

(via Shutterstock)

 

Also read about: Adulting 101: Things We Wish We Learned in School

 

Mugs

We don't know why, but new mugs are one of the thing we struggle to resist buying. They either come in fun shapes, feature captivating art or make us laugh, and we don't realize the mistake we've made until we bring them home and have no room for them. We also find that we typically just wind up using the same mugs over and over again, because they go to the front of the cabinet once they're washed. To declutter, think about how many mugs you and your household realistically use between dish washing days, then focus on the ones you love best for their size, feel and graphics. From there, feel free to get rid of the ones you find impractical or just plain boring, and implement a rule that one mug has to go for every new mug you bring in.

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Thinking about the best ways to prioritize your spending? Click HERE to discover our top tips.