12 Things I No Longer Spend Money On In My 30s 

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Can you guys look into interviewing people in their 50s, 60s & 70s about their financial journey?? I love the 20s-30s content but sometimes I find the experience of those over 35 (who aren't related to me) VERY useful.

I love how Chelsea has really shown us her chaotic side since the pandemic

For me, it's cheap sheets. One day, I just said to myself, "Self, we're not doing this anymore. We work hard; we deserve a good night's rest, not a bed of sandpaper."

1. Cheap alcohol 2. Going Out clothes 3. Makeup that looks good in theory 4. Pre Made foods 5. Shots 6. Hardcover books 7. Dormy posters 8. Anything for a guy (like concerts/sports tickets when you don't want to go) 9. Late or overdraft fees 10. Inconvenient Travel 11. Skinny Jeans 12. Padded Bra

Inconvenient flights omg. I used to do that all the time, always ended up so uncomfortable, and definitely spent more on airport food and extra ubers than what the cost of a direct flight would have been

I don’t buy cheap kitchenware anymore. They last you only a short while and you don’t get the same results as from a sturdy pan or french oven.

Me screaming into the void: LIBRARIES!! Me rediscovering libraries in my mid-30’s has been a game-changer.

Chelsea! You're the reason I have a low wage job during a pandemic but was STILL able to comfortably cover an unexpected car repair. Thank you. Hope you see this and know all the good you're doing for people raised without any good financial examples around.

The money saved from going out clothes can now go to expensive alcohol 😂

For me it's uncomfortable shoes just for the aesthetic appeal, not worth the blisters and bruises or the blood pooling between my toes as I slowly crumble to the floor, accepting this is my final resting place. Absolutely nothing or no one could make me take another step and even if I did get to where I was going, I would have a terribly time with these torture devices strapped to my feet all night/day. For anyone who dares suggest to take them off and go barefoot, yeah outgrew them too!

Is anyone else extremely distracted by whatever is moving by the vase of flowers in the background? No? Just me?

Almost two years ago, i had a 3 month period where I consumed a lot of beauty guru and Instagram content. In those months my clothing/makeup/beauty products spending almost tripled. That content is designed to make you buy things that you do NOT need to correct imperfections you did not even knew you had. If you are in that situation, do yourself a favour and stop watching them, it will do you, and your wallet, a world of good.

I am a 36DDD. I think it's criminal that padded bras in my size even exist AND THEY DO!!

1:26 Cheap alcohol 2:51 Going-out clothes 3:58 Makeup that looks good in theory 4:55 Pre-made foods 6:31 Shots 6:52 Hardcover books 7:51 Dorm-ey posters 9:03 Anything for a guy 11:11 Inconvenient travel 14:42 Skinny jeans 16:36 Padded Bras

Mom jeans have been back for a while now! I switched to vintage looking high waist trousers a while back because my aesthetic is victorian paperboy.

I love how you set it up "what is and what isn't deserving of MY money" not all people deserve your time and not all objects or services deserve your resources

I like Chelsea's videos as she is so confident being herself and being comfortable as whom she is. That's why I followed her for years. Lots of love from Hong Kong.

Hardcover books solutions: buy used hardcover books, sometimes those can be cheaper than the kindle version, some book I dont want in my kindle because I tend to forget I read them, I read 40 books per year so its easy to forget.

At 55, what I no longer spend money on: Expensive gifts for friends (not sure they liked them, not sure why I felt I needed to get them), Lots of money on Christmas (I don't have kids and I don't feel right just buying everyone something like a box of chocolate or soap... I mean why. I try to be generous when people need money or I see something they would like), I also agree about cheap alcohol, it's such a rarity now, why not have the $15 bottle of beer?, nerd doodads (action figures, game accessories, books and cards. If I'm not actively playing a game, I try to just say no. But weirdly now it gives people something to buy me).

I still buy slightly padded bras. But if I didn't I'd probably be accused of being inappropriate because I'm very "sensitive" to temperature changes. 🤣

It’s Starbucks/Dunkin, etc. for me. Bought an espresso machine and never looked back.

It's interesting how cultural differences can have a big impact on how one spends money. I'm French and nobody I know (and I worked in the French luxury industry for years) has clothes just to go out. We use our regular clothes, and we add a bold accessory and/or a red lipstick. French women wear very little makeup and are very conservative, so no blue eyeshadows (navy, maybe?). People rarely buy processed food. I remember my surprise when I saw that most Americans didn't know how to do batters for cakes and bought already made ones. We spend a LOT of money on shoes (men too!), underwear, skincare and very good cheese and wine. As for skinny jeans, apart from teenagers, very few adult women wear those.

Omg remember the low rise jeans of the 90s?? Now that was an absolute nightmare!! I'll take skinny jeans any day of the week 🤣🤣

I’m in my middle 30th. I stop buying “going out” outfits because I’m not going out. Never was never will. Instead I level up my day to day clothes so they can be a nice to go out with friends to coffee or dinner. Maybe I’m the only person ever who prefer lay-out instead of a straight flight if the flight is more then 4 hours 😊 BTW can’t with your leaf in the background 🌿

Completely agree on the not buying "going out" clothes. A day to evening look is your wallet's friend 😊

I feel like in your 30s your done with and bored of things from your twenties. You just grow up and realize what’s really important in life.

Wish I could get back my money for all my stupid spending in younger years 🤪. These reality checks are awesome and keeps me motivated to not fall into spending potholes.

Chelsea has such a great sense of humor. I love these videos and her rants the most.

I am not 30 yet (getting there in a few months), but I also have my own list haha 1. I agree with you on cheap alcohol, my body can't handle it anymore 2. super cheap basics. I try to get the best I can afford so they last me years instead of one season or two. 3. Nail polish. I like keeping my nails natural, I have only one color and is light pink 4. A ton of makeup. I MarieKondo-ed my make up bag and I only keep the essentials 5. The latest apple product. I had my iPhone 6s for years and renewed it this year only because I got mugged.

I am allergic to alcohol but I've been a Cannabis user for many years to cope with anxiety, stress, and helps me sleep. So for #1 instead of stop buying cheap alcohol, I have stopped buying cheap weed. Higher quality buds are much more potent so I need less, don't give me headaches, and taste so yummy. Any semi-adulting Cannabis enthusiasts with me? 🙋

You will pry hardcovers out of cold dead hands!!! Also though, books are one of my main forms of decor and I love having really full nice looking shelf so I try whenever possible to get the hardcovers

I've stopped spending on "trendy" clothes - huge waste of money. I now only own great quality basics, that I can use for many different occasions and that are always in style. I also stopped with cheap eats out. If I am going out to a restaurants I want to enjoy a great quality meal and have an experience. I'd rather go out to less restaurants but actually enjoy them!

In my city there's a handful of "little libraries" some houses have set up and I love putting books I have finished with and finding something new and interesting to read. Lots of times there's hardcover books inside, alongside books from the 70s and 80s families are getting rid of. I've found some of my favourite new stories this way; going to the libary helps immensely as well, I save between $2-5000 a year

Wow! Love the timing of this video. I'm turning 30 in 3hours 😝🙃

The best bras are the Aerie wireless pushup bras. Absolutely unparalleled comfort, 10/10 would recommend to anyone who cares. The wires are the problem, not the padding

I love how much more relaxed and funny you are as time goes by on this channel! It’s like chatting with a girlfriend at lunch!

For myself it's coloring my hair. I've never done it out of shame, but more exploration. But I'm just done. I love my hair, I love my greys too! See also foundation! I will wear a little concealer, but foundation outside of a day where I'm being photographed is not my journey!

Regarding cheap flights: I did have a positive experience flying into Baltimore, arriving in the middle of a weekday, and taking the $7 (approx.) commuter rail right to the heart of DC. I think it's only worth it to fly outside of your destination if you have something as reliable as a commuter rail to take you in where you need to be.

I'm 23, and I've stopped buying a TON of these items already and since the pandemic, including my Starbucks and Panda Express addictions. Books are 1000% my weakness, as I have picked up newly released hardcovers that I couldn't resist many times, but now I usually add all the books I want to a wishlist and then wait until they go on sale, or until they release a paperback edition. And even then, I like to buy used paperbacks when possible. Book hoarding while still being frugal about it? Win for me.

Pizza dough is reaaaally the easiest thing to make :D But being 29 I agree with many of the things you mentioned, especially the hangover part - no cheap stuff anymore :)

I love padded bras, they feel like a protective, supportive armor where my breasts can rest. I even sleep wearing my padded bra and feel perfectly comfortable! But I agree with the sentiment: growing up is about embracing the kind of person you are and not trying to embody a style, an aesthetic, an idea of yourself. I think attempts are a necessary part of discovering what feels and looks "you", and we should look back to those attempts with a smile, with kindness, but anything you have to force on yourself, you should let go. I will never learn to walk in heels, and I will never be the person who reads classic literature, and I'm letting go of the idea that I should be that person. It's a journey, but allowing yourself to feel that way is so liberating and it's the best lesson I learned from TFD

"I literally look like the V for Vendetta mask when I contour" That made me cackle hahaha. Very relatable.

Me: Great list and I just turned 40 this year. Also me: *mutes video during the Going Out Clothes timeframe*

OMG Chelsea I watch you for financial advice (obviously) :), but mostly for your sense of humour! You are soooo fun to watch :)

I just turned 30 in April, so this was a cool video to watch. For most of these items, though, I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with them. Being good with money means that you spend on what you value....and are critical of what you value and why.

I’m married and I agree. When my husband is with his friends I don’t bother anymore. I used to go and just hated myself for wasting my money or time.

the flower in the back is ALIVE :D it's creeping me out

I loved every second of this one!! Keep up the good work TFD!!! And Chelsea I feel like we are getting to know you even better and I am here for it!!!

I love your videos but as someone who works in the wine industry, I have to correct you. Sulfites don't give you headaches... that would be the tannins or alcohol. Sulfites are present in a lot of food, especially in quantities greater than that in wine.

Chelsea you are my spirit animal I felt each of these so deep in my soul and have similar anecdotes to go with them. As I approach my thirties I no longer want to put my money into things that bring me discomfort, and basically work against me.

When she said no shots I seriously thought that she meant vaccines. I got scared for a second that Chelsea was an anti-vaxer 🤣

Love all of your videos, Chelsea! Your videos are exactly what I needed in my life. Listening to an intelligent woman discuss important topics in a relatable manner. Keep it up!

Omg Chelsea! I feel you on a lot of these points. I turned 31 last year and as I transitioned into this decade, the things I want and need are so different. I also have items I would never ever spend money on again that I did in my 20s. In my twenties I was never big on socializing or going to happy hours like most of my peers so I saved a lot by not going out a lot. But here is my list to add to yours: Not spending my my 30s: 1. Concert tickets ( I have gone to so many and this was my thing in my 20s that I did for fun. I am growing out of that experience.). 2. Starbucks coffee. 3. Eating take out a lot. 4. Books (the library has so many options, even prime reading) books take a lot of space. 5. Makeup ( I will still buy basic essentials: foundation, neutrals, I do not need crazy color eyeshadows. 6. Perfume ( going through using all the fragrances I bought in my 20s). 7. A wedding (the older I get each year I want to elope more and more) Things I would like to treat myself in my 30s: 1. Travel (I definitely need to see some world). 2. A nice work wardrobe ( I have been with my company since 22 and we were always allowed to wear casual attire, but I want to look nice. 3. The Spa ( getting massages and facials)

This was such a good laugh and reality check! You read me so well with trying to save money on flights. Always ends up as a headache.

Excellent points made (and I'm 28). Definitely chuckled at "what's the deal with skinny jeans" love it when Chelsea loses it a bit, adds a lot of personality 👍

I think Chelsea would be an awesome friend to have! Thanks for finally talking more about 30s financial lifestyle things! Totally agree with the skinny jeans takeover, it's so hard to find any other cut or if they do exists, stock is never enough (especially in plus sizes). I will disagree somewhat on the bras though. Push up bras absolutely have to go. I'm totally wirefree, but have to go with light padding, otherwise I get the old 1940-50s pointed shape where everything shows. No thanks. Light padding helps keep that more in check, especially since there isn't underwire.

Watching this as I make 200 pierogis to freeze. Truly a labor of love.

I've stopped buying shoes that are fancy but fall apart. I only really wear shoes that make my feet happy

Yeah I'm sort of done with the cheap Barefoot wine and the wines that cost $3 or $4 or $5. I'm starting to experiment with the little over $10 wines and finding wines I personally like. My new favorite is Stella Rosa Blueberry but I like semi-sweet or sweet wines.

I would love it if you could add a closed caption for us in your videos (CC). Great job on your strong content!

This was so fun to see what she no longer spends her money on, thank you!

This was hilarious and informational. I hear you on the travel. Pay a lil more for comfort. Our old bones will thank us. Great job!

The travel - I missed a flight cos of the 30 min connection and had to watch as the security staff took their lunch, knowing I would miss my flight with two young kids in tow because they were taking so long. Never again.

I am a 57 year old woman listening to this with my 24 year old daughter, and I agree with everything you said! Great advice, Chelsea.

I would love to hear more about your meal planning journey and what helped you to get good at it! I am hopeless! :)

Though I have to disagree with hardcover books (damn those covers are sometimes so beautiful and also I hate breaking the back of books) I absolutely am against the idea of going out clothes... I just wear whatever I want. I use to wear those costumey princess dresses when I was a child all the time, even with a pair of jeans underneath if it was too cold. So just let me wear my linen blouses and wrap dresses on a regular badis. Everyday life is good enough for fancy clothes because you are good enough for fancy clothes. That is why I never wear jogging trousers or trainers etc except when I am, well, working out. Just not my jam. Just don't feel like myself in them. (If you do, that's great, you do you.)

"also, i'm married. so who am i kidding?" - chelsea,i laughed so hard on this! hahaha :D

I agree with most of this, Chelsea. The exception for me would be hardcover books. We have turned a spare bedroom into a home “library.” We do buy the occasional new book, but we also buy used hardcover books as well from secondhand bookstores. You wouldn’t believe the amount of inner peace my wife and I get from spending time in our little library. It’s well worth every penny we’ve spent slowly building it. And paperbacks just wouldn’t give the space the same feel.

I'm also amazed at how long skinny jeans have stuck around

i'm 27 and my 20 year old coworkers told me skinny jeans are no longer cool so that's a plus!

So much yes on the bras especially. I have two overpriced VS ones left and I have no idea why I haven’t trashed them. Haven’t worn them in years. Maybe today is the day they get chucked 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

On the books thing.. I got a kindle and it's so much cheaper than paperback. I hated storing them, that's what made me get a kindle. Most of the time they're half price or less than a paperback, and you have them forever on your phone, or you could lend your account to a friend. It's fantastic.

I love Chelsea 💖💕 your honesty is soo appreciated

OMG YOUR SHIRT IS BEAUTIFUL! IT suits you so well too!

Great suggestions. I read a ton and could never and think even buying them all paperback is a waste. You can get kindle and audiobooks through the library which was such a game changer for me! I do buy physical book in hard cover and sometimes collectors copies ... but the criteria for me owning a physical book is so high I think I only have 30 total. I buy my all time favorite books in the best print I can find because yes they look beautiful and it makes me very happy to see the collection of my favorites books on my shelf

I love this video. I felt your true personality. Thank you for all the good information.

Chelsea, one of my quarantine projects was making gyoza from scratch. I made the filling, set up my production line, and folded maybe 50 dumplings by hand. And whilst I have zero regrets about the experience (having dumplings for lunch every day for a week was fun), the next time I want dumplings, I will either be going to a dumpling bar or getting a freezer bag of them from an Asian supermarket before I think of making them myself again. I can understand making dumplings from scratch if you have NO other options, but if you do have options, go for them. I have a personal ratio of cooking effort IN: amount and quality of food OUT, and making dumplings by hand didn't come close. After using my lockdown time to try cooking lots of things from scratch (dumplings, pastry, pasta), I have a deeper appreciation for buying things ready-made.

Bam! You said it girl! It will get even better as you get older! Years ago my mom and I made the decision to only buy second hand books. They are much less expensive and we aren't killing any more trees. Thanks!

Always love your videos, Chelsea :)

I'm 27 and agree 100% to all the things you mentioned. Also let me just say, I just loooove your humor. ♥️

i just love this channel & esp enjoy chelsea laughing

I’m turning 30 in a few months and I very much needed this.

I think this was my exact finance progression except I still buy some prepared food because it's such a time saver ( and I hate cooking ).

Oh totally relate to the 'convenience travel'... my partner is German, so when we were in grad school in order to visit his family we would take an 8 hour bus (we lived in VA) to take the cheapest plane out of JFK... which most likely has a longggg layover in Iceland at the worst time. I think our travel time then was like 36 hours to get to Germany LOL... ah, good times 😅

You just crack me up lol. I just turned 30, and still want to say 29! Lol thank you for the great content as always.

For makeup: I use eyeshadow brown/pink for contour/blush. If I have blush or bronzer, it’s only given to me for a gift or from a family/friend. I use eyeshadow for highlighter as well. I also take care of my face with cheap skincare that works and drinking water so I don’t have to buy foundation. I use concealer sometimes. Btw I do drag as well. I barely spend money on makeup anymore. I started making my own clothes from clothing from friends.

Love this. Totally distracted by the windy leaf in the vase 😬

Libraries!! Even if your physical locations are not open right now, there are apps that allow you to rent ebooks! (Overdrive and Libby are examples.) That's a personal rule of mine; I try to get the book from the library first (unless it's an author I really enjoy and/or a series I'm invested in) and then if I want to re-read the book, I buy it. (Usually used; Thriftbooks is good for this. But also from local bookstores when I can!) Libraries also support authors AND we're already paying for them. Support your local libraries!

Kept getting distracted by the flickering thing behind the flowers xD Oh, boy!

I watch your channel for financial advice. But in this video I LOVE your personality! You’re hilarious!

As someone who works in publishing - buying kindle or ebook formats are the best way to support authors and publishers. Since the costs of printing are not required, even a cheap ebook set to $2.99 nets an author more royalties, as publishers typically offer 50% of the price to authors, and self-pub platforms offer 75%. This means the publishers and authors make more money, as you as the reader save money. Additionally, authors can do “free” promos in which they make the first book in a series free on ebook (via a platform or book funnel for newsletter sign up) which helps them promote their work. Even if you never finish the series, those downloads of free ebooks help boost them in the platform’s ratings and get them seen by more readers. So TLDR - ebooks help authors a LOT.

I can't do e-readers of any sort because of the amount of screen. Staring at the screen for too long is annoying and I learned that trying to read texts when I did online college.

The make up one really hit home for me. I spent SO much money on makeup on in college and high school. I didn’t want to spend money on clothes because I was self conscious about my weight and buying makeup meant I didn’t have to look at myself in the mirror while shopping. Then after college I lived in the middle of West Africa and didn’t wear any makeup for 2 years. I still have some of my makeup from before and still use it and enjoy it and will replace what I have now when it runs out but I will not be buying anything crazy. I have 5 blushes. That’s enough for any look.

Covered my ears just in time. Thanks!

am i the only one terribly distracted by the leaf? Why is it moving? Why are the rest of the flowers not? I have so many questions...

Come to Brazil, Chelsea, mom jeans are THE bomb here right now

I wear the bras with the little bit of padding because I don’t like worrying that the headlights are on. Especially as I work in a high school and it’s usually cold in my room lol. Also utilize your local library people! They have ebooks too!

Anybody else feel like this was the most raw, unedited version of Chelsea we have seen so far? And I absolutely love it

I enjoyed Chelsea’s rants.😂 I’m in my late 20s, and the only the only 2 or 3 I might be guilty of are pre-made food (not too often or not me buying them), something fora guy (except I can’t think of a time where I went to a sports event with my then boyfriends and didn’t enjoy the games🤷🏻‍♀️, so not sure I completely agree with that, but I understand if it’s something you’re truly not interested in and it’s better the significant other does it with pals, then sure), and skinny jeans (I actually like them because they hug curves). I agree on padded bras and that one should spend money on they feels comfortable in, and inconvenient flights? Learned my lesson already; no more multi stop flights!