9 Things to Avoid Buying to Save Money

It’s always good to find new ways to reduce your monthly outgoings – even if it’s only by a few pounds at a time. I know I’m usually on the lookout for ways to make savings so I can contribute towards a bigger goal, like a personal or business investment.

If you’re the same, here are nine things you could stop buying this month (or right away) to save money each month.

1. Takeaway coffee

While it feels like everywhere has been closed down for a while, lots of places are now offering takeaway food and drinks again. Before you take a trip out to pick up your favourite coffee or tea, think about whether you’d rather spend that £5 or put it towards a money saving challenge. If you can go without that one takeaway coffee, that’s £5 still in your pocket. Keep at it and you’ll see some real savings over time.

2. Magazines and books

Books and magazines are another area where you can save money, but this time you don’t have to go without. Most magazines offer a cheaper digital subscription, or you could consider sharing a copy with a friend to reduce the cost. Once libraries open again they’re the perfect place to find books and indulge in a spot of reading, but until then most books have an ebook, Kindle or audiobook version that’s more affordable.

3. Lunch meal deals

When it’s time to head back to the workplace, you might be tempted to pick up your usual supermarket lunch meal deal. Try swapping this for a homemade lunch instead. Not only will you be saving money, but if you start meal planning and try new recipes every week you’ll never be short of different lunch options.

4. Entertainment subscriptions

If you’re anything like me, chances are you’re subscribed to a handful of TV or movie subscription services. Netflix, Now TV, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ are just some of the services available at the moment. If you only subscribed to watch a certain TV show, maybe it’s time to cancel or pause your membership for now. This could bring you savings of £5+ each month, depending on how many you cancel.

5. Gym membership

With so many of us taking to walking and spending more time outdoors, it might be time to rethink your gym membership when it comes up for renewal. For some people the gym is the perfect place to stay fit, but you might be thinking there are cheaper options that work just as well for you. If so, why not give running a try or start watching fitness videos on YouTube.

6. Branded food and toiletry products

It’s so easy to get caught up in brand hype or stick to the products you’ve always bought and loved. Sometimes it’s worth swapping to an own-brand version. If you haven’t made the switch yet, start small with things like laundry products or hand wash. Try unbranded versions of your favourite ingredients or pre-prepared foods, as well as toiletries like shampoo and deodorant. You might find something you like even better than your old favourite.

7. Weekly takeaways

Weekly takeaways can feel like a real luxury, especially after a hard week. While they’re delicious, they can easily cost you upwards of £30 per week. That’s a big chunk of money that could be heading towards one of your savings goals instead. I know it can be hard to quit things cold turkey, so try switching to one every other week or once a month. Who knows, you might even cut them out altogether.

8. Seasonal decor items

Tempted to spruce up your home with seasonal decor? It’s fun to decorate, but it’s an area where becoming more eco-friendly and investing in high quality items can save you money in the long run. Swap your paper bunting for something reusable and you have decor you can bring out every year. Do this for every holiday and you won’t need to buy an Easter chick or festive bauble for ages.

9. Kitchen appliances

We’re not talking about cookers or fridge-freezers here, as those are pretty much essentials for most modern kitchens. Instead, avoid buying kitchen appliances built for only one purpose. I’m sure most of us have bought a smoothie maker, waffle maker, toastie maker, cake pop maker or health grill at one point or another. They often sit in cupboards unused, so instead of impulse buying the latest gadget pop the funds into your savings account instead.

Which non-essential buys are you cutting from your monthly budget?

If it’s been a while since you made some changes, now might be the perfect time to look through your monthly spending to see if you can make savings. Whether you spend less on takeaways or cut out your gym membership, these small savings can add up over time. What are you thinking of spending less on this year?