5 Things I Don’t Spend Money On to Free Up My Budget
Managing a budget often involves making tough choices about where to cut back. Over time, I’ve identified a few areas where I’ve chosen not to spend money, allowing me to create more flexibility in my finances. Here are five things I’ve opted out of to help stretch my budget further:
Hair and Nails I like to keep things simple when it comes to my hair and nails. I grow my hair out long, then chop it short to donate to Children With Hair Loss. This means I only visit the salon once every two years for a major cut, and occasionally for a trim, which costs about $20 to $30. I don’t get my hair colored professionally—instead, I’ll do it at home if I feel like a change, but I usually leave it natural. As for nails, I reserve professional manicures for special occasions, going just two or three times a year.
Food Delivery I used to spend too much on DoorDash, especially when I was pregnant. However, I found that the high fees weren’t worth it for the often cold food that arrived. Now, if I don’t feel like picking up food myself, I’ll stay home and cook instead. This change has saved me a significant amount of money and ensured that I enjoy hot, fresh meals.
New Clothes I don’t buy brand new clothes; instead, I thrift. It’s a personal preference—I love the thrill of searching through thrift store racks for great deals. Thrifting allows me to experiment with different styles at a low cost, and I don’t have to commit to a piece of clothing long-term. Plus, it’s a more sustainable option, giving clothes a second life. If I decide I no longer want an item, I can either thrift it back, wear it out, or find another way to repurpose it.
Car Loans My husband and I have had our cars for over five years, and when we first bought them, we did take out loans. However, we’ve since paid off those loans and are committed to driving our cars until they no longer run. My 2007 Chevy Equinox, for example, has been with me through thick and thin—it was even stolen and recovered in 2019! Despite everything, I still drive it today and will be sad to see it go when the time comes. In the meantime, we’re setting aside money to purchase our next vehicles outright, avoiding the need for new loans.
Gym Memberships We’ve had gym memberships in the past, but we found that the cost didn’t match how often we actually used them. Now that the weather is nice, we go running in the mornings and take advantage of the free pickleball courts that were recently installed in our town. When it’s cold or rainy, I turn to yoga or YouTube workouts in my living room. This way, we stay active without the recurring expense of a gym membership.
These are the five things I’ve chosen not to spend money on, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable to others. Budgeting is all about prioritizing what matters most to you. If these areas are important to you, that’s completely valid. None of these expenses are inherently bad—they just aren’t my current priorities. In an upcoming article, I’ll share what I do prioritize in my budget and where I choose to spend my money. I hope this gives you some ideas on where you might be able to save, or reinforces your decision to invest in what matters most to you.
