Hi Guys!! I'm sharing some of the things I no longer buy since embracing a more minimalist lifestyle. Curious to know... What are some of the things you've stopped buying??
I've always been a "minimalist" but just recently learned this is what it's called, and also stepping it up a notch. I enjoyed your video, especially logo'd clothing. Once you realize it's not only tacky but also a desperate cry for people to see you're in "fashion" you really turn back to classic choices.
you seriously give some of the best minimalist tips on youtube and you can tell by how clean and organized your house is that u really do keep the clutter gone.
You should make a DIY video of you making & using all your homemade cleaning products! (That would be very helpful :) I have a four-month old son & we are new to the one income lifestyle!) Ps - Love your channel!
Things I've stopped buying? Pretty much everything. I'm /starting/ to become a minimalist after a breakup, and I'll be moving from a 2bdm basement to a studio apartment eventually. It's gonna take some work, but one day at a time! I'm so lucky sometimes (lol) that I'm a male, 'cause I don't go about buying fancy shampoos or any type of skin care product (even though I work in a skin care lab..), so I've diminished most of my bath products. It maybe a tiny bit uncomfortable for female readers (depending how you feel about this), but to maintain my body's natural oils and to not scrape them off my body everytime I shower, I just use hot water (can't get rid of that just yet!). I still wash my hands and dishes with soap, I mean - cleanliness! I am cleaning out my food cupboard as much as my body will let me. I've stopped shopping for food. From my ex, I have some chicken in the freezer, but I found some other meats and such that I'm using up slowly, mostly for lunch meals. I've started making more stews out of what I have and IF I need to buy veggies, I will eventually buy reusable mesh bags, but I'm stuck with frozen veggies for convenience currently. To get rid of things even more quicker, I'll be making my cat (bless his cute little face) some fish stews from the freezer, and such also. I'm also gonna train my cat to use the toilet, so I can prevent paying for litter costs - in the long run, it'll be way cheaper too. I'm purging on clothing, and things that I'm not using on a regular basis. I'm also wearing a lot less as well. On my last laundry, I had my bathtowel, my work clothing, my pj's and the shirt/jeans I wore to outings. I also threw out three pairs of shoes last week too, 'cause in Vancouver.. you really can't wear anything with holes. None of the furniture is mine, expect for a bed, a lamp, the chest freezer and a bookshelf. I will eventually downgrade the bed to a Japanese futon, and if i'm living in a place with a balcony, that'll be perfect for airing it out! (Ahhh - I'm excited!) But yeah, those are a few of the things that i'm doing. Didn't wanna keep rambling, but crossing my fingers that things go as planned~
Nice video. We, my wife and I, have always lived a basic lifestyle. Didn't consider us minimalist, but I believe we can easily transition into it. We had an "anti-pak rat" rule for many years. If we have not used or seen it in 12 months, out it went. We have made friends real happy with that rule. Given away large TV's, etc., a few weeks ago I gave away another "extra" car. We have accumulated a lot of things being married 31 years. Need to start the De-cluttering.
That's great! We actually gave a car away also. Called Salvation Army up and donated it to them. It was in good working condition. Just got it out of drive. I don't like a lot of clutter. Can't stand the pack rat concept either. I feel it's a waste. I'm starting my clothing closet declutter this week. Just to much. Getting out of hand.. I only need a few basics. On kids clothing I always try to find someone that can really use the clothing. Makes me feel good!
I stopped using the vinyl shower curtains a few years ago; I despise them!!! I had always thought I had to have them as a liner with the fabric ones. Now I just use the fabric ones alone and I love it!
I had wondered the same thing before I tried it. It actually keeps it in pretty well, and I have four kids. I think the fabric ones look better, feel better, are easier to clean, etc.
I don't buy gift wrapping paper. Just use normal white paper and paint some dots or hearts in different colors. Or keep the paper bags without a logo you get in some stores, put the gift in and make a little paper label with the name and tie it to the handle.
I've watched a lot of minimalist videos, this is by far the one that makes the more sense to me. It also sounds like a cleaner lifestyle: washcloths vs loofahs is cleaner, washable bathmats- I'm all for it. I just subbed.
I'm looking into the minimalist lifestyle & clothes will be tough for me to give up! great video girl, its nice getting to hear someone else's perspective :)
Thank you Kelsey!! :) That's awesome!! I use to have a ton of clothing too. It took me years to downsize my wardrobe to were it is currently. Slowly but surely you'll get there.... Go at your own pace
Kelsey Leslie u can do it. Take your time. I started summer 2016 with cleaning out my closet. Best decision ever. Went from 60+ shoes to 20. Still want to pair it down. My goal is 10 total. Good luck
It's safe to say we all lived and learned with having too much stuff!!! Happy to hear your enjoying a more simple life :) It really is soo freeing, less stressful, and amazing!!!
after traveling so much and living already in 3 countries, I became a really simple person and I just own what really makes me happy and of course I try my best to live a simple life, save money, be eco friendly and whatever I have, it has to have good quality.
They don't have Ross where I live but I buy towels at Bed, Bath & Beyond that are made to dry really fast in the dryer. They also dry really fast that if you have a clothes line. I used the 20% off coupons and now I have enough to last a week. I donated all my other towels to a dog shelter. They weren't worn out but took too long to dry.
That's awesome Lisa!! What's the fabric on those bath & beyond towels?? They sound so cool!!! And way to donate your towels to the animal shelter!! We do that too :)
There are also very good deals/bargains at Tuesday Morning (of course if one is near you). Check out Goodwill. There are many opportunities to NOT pay full retail price. Large containers of baking soda and vinegar can be found at Sam’s Club and other similar stores.
So good to see another vlog. I've reduced my cleaning products and make some of my own too. I still need to work more on reducing consumption on many goods , such as clothing and accessories. Mahalo
I used to go through a ton of Windex... now I use a mixture of vinegar water and a couple drops of dawn dish soap for most things. We also would purchase a bunch of DVDs in the past... liek a long time ago. On occasion I will get kids DVDs but we no longer do the grown up ones, we usually rent them or watch ones streaming.
I stop buying home decor stuff. I realized I got PLENTY and too many, and it's such a hardwork to maintain, clean, and rotate them. Same thing with accessories. Too many earrings, necklaces, bracelets, it's a stress just to rotate wearing them! Now there are still plenty, purging them slowly, and still happy with the plenty-ness of the collection, if you know what I mean. ^_^
Really enjoyed.... me too no longer buy jewellery and I got rid of 99% of them. They never brought me joy just guilty feeling. Really content with my wedding band and few little earrings. Thanks for the video Hun 😘
I enjoyed your inspiring video. I am motivated to stop buying perfume. I have a ton of it. I've become obsessed. And, like you, we use cloth napkins, good rugs & shower curtains for the bath. And homemade cleaners.
We use family cloth instead of toilet paper and handkerchiefs instead of kleenex we have cloth pads and menstrual cups they last 10 years we also use wood pellets instead of cat litter it saves us a ton of money. We use coffee and coconut oil for exfoliation and coconut oil and baking soda for toothpaste and we make our own chapstick and deodorant. My favorite thing is silicone zip lock bags they last 5 to 10 years and silicone mats for baking no need for aluminum foil and beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap to keep things fresh.
OMG WOW!!! Laura you guys are rockstars at this!!! So inspirational!! I use cloth pads too (only at home tho, since mine are a little bulky.) I've been using them for 9 years and love them!! So much more comfortable to use!!! We love diy body scrubs too :) Keep up the amazing work!!! Thank you for sharing all the green frugal ways you guys save money & the environment!!
Good to know Samantha!!! I can see it happening with apple cider vinegar with the mother. I've never had that problem with distilled white vinegar and water.
DVDs / Blu Rays and books are pretty much the only items I spend my money on, alongside unncessary food items. I'm trying to break the food habbit, but I'll stick with buying DVDs / Blu Rays and books, as it's my hobby, plus I actually watch / read the items I buy. I've never been much of a clothing shopper, etc. though. I've stopped buying logo clothing, etc. as well.
Hello! New subscriber here. I love how you can encourage others to become minimalists and I am looking forward to trying to become one myself. Thanks for the video! Have a great week!
I want to live in a nice tiny home and travel when I’m older so I’m 15 and have been decluttering for a year. I want to be an experienced minimalist and not jump right in to a home the size of a trailer 😂
Wow your only 15 and already on a minimalist journey!! Go you!!! That's awesome, your gonna save so much green not buying crap, i mean stuff we don't need :) Very inspiring!!!
I don't use paper tissues/Kleenex; instead I use nice handkerchiefs which can bed thrown in the wash. I'm being a LOT more mindful about using paper towels and try to use a sponge or cleaning cloth instead.
Giirrrrrlll..... i know exactly how that feels!! It use to drive me crazy!! >_< Do you guys stream movies online?? That's what helped my husband stop buying dvds and blu rays :)
It's okay Cynthia we've all been there... The good thing is that you realize that your shopping triggers are boredom and stress, so maybe try to find a another outlet than shopping. Perhaps reorganizing your closet, that way you can really see what you have and relove rediscover some pieces that might of been hiding in the closet :)
This is not a comment on you at all, you're lovely. I'm shocked by the amount of disposable things that you used to buy! Is that common in America? I had never even heard of a disposable bath mat, and couldn't imagine consistently eating from paper plates and cups. Just from a sustainability standpoint, but thats been driven in to me since I was a kid here in the UK. how interesting.
Ya i totally agree, the one time use disposables are ridiculous & absurd. Such a waste of resources, space, money, and landfill. Not sustainable at all. Hopefully people wake up and see how much damage our pollution is doing and start using more sustainable products that will also save them more money :) win win
I was never a shopoholic and have always hated the malls, but I was kind of into buying purses like Michael Kors , etc. Right now I’m at that point where I no longer have any interest in acquiring more purses just because they are on sale!
That's awesome Olivia!!! :) I'm a sucker for sales too!!! It takes a lot of self control for me. I try to avoid stores until i actually need something.
TY I just parted with my $200 boots that I donated at the Salvation army...also will be sending tons of clothes to a cousin in the Philippines soon.but yeah TY for the tips.🍾🍾🍾
Subscribe to your channel.I started becoming a minimalist so starting my journey.I rid of 9 bags and one box.Had 33 short sleeve shirt went down to 17 so doing good.Great video u did.
I'd say this is more frugal but I stopped buying garbage bags. I'd rather use the plastic bags I get when I go grocery shopping. Also, because my store always let's me take extra, I don't see why I should pay for a piece of plastic to put my garbage in and throw away.
We have a plastic bag ban in Hawaii because of too much pollution in the ocean and landfills. I thinks that it's great that you reuse store bags into trash bags and no longer need to buy them :) Way to go you!!!
Loved this video:) This topic was the first video I *EVER* filmed on YT...I cringe when I watch it but it is my most popular video! LOL:) Loved hearing your list! I have washable bathmats too...they are awesome...they look like towels:) xoxo
I might be doing something wrong, but doesn't making the products yourself sums up tot he price as buying natural cleaners? I will make my own cleaners too, but the essential oils are from $5 up unless they're cheaper some place else. A multi purpose cleaner from Mr Meyers is 2.99 if I'm not mistaken.
Hi Cynthia :) Great question!! We own about 20 cloth napkins. We try to use one per person per day. Then put them in the hamper after dinner. Sometime it'll get really dirty or big spill, those go straight to the hamper. We do laundry 4-5 times per week, I just wash them with my regular laundry.
Just bought reusable napkins last year and I love them! I am hoping to get into not buying cleaning products, do you have recipes to how to make the ones you mentioned? Thank you!
Hi Ashlyn :) Great question!! We have about 20 cloth napkins. We use one napkin per person per day... unless it gets really gross after their meal then we'll change it out. We wash them with our regular dark load laundry. I wash clothes 4-5 times a week, one load per day. Hope that helps
Can I ask where u got your scoop neck tee? It's a really flattering gray and looks like it's made well. Nice hearing what u no longer buy. I'm in the transition of switching to mostly reusable items as well. It's awesome saving money by simply not buying what we once thought was essential. They actually r reoccurring bills if we don't switch to a reusable option.
Thank you :) It's from jeans warehouse in hawaii. I'm not sure if their on the mainland too? But awesome that your going more zero waste and buying reusables instead of disposables. It seriously saves lots of money in the long run and you help mother earth too
I stopped buying CD's, DVD's, Magazines and it's all good. I save a lot. I'll go to A Dollar Store and buy products which are cheaper then going to a store like Walmart.
You are beautiful. I think your natural beauty is allowed to shine through since you aren't driven to try and be beautiful with "stuff". Wondering how you combine minimalism and make-up skin care? I will look at your vids and see if you talk about this...
Awww thank you Marianne :) I do keep it pretty simple with skin care and makeup. I haven't bought makeup in over a year, except for mascara. I like to use up what i have before buying more. I'll do an updated video on this soon.
great video! but when you use fabric shower curtains without a plastic liner, doesn't it get moldy? how do you prevent mold on fabric shower curtains from all the moisture and water?
Hi Ke :) Great question!! Yes, sometimes I do get a little mold on the curtains, but it's pretty rare because we have good air flow in the bathroom. However, if there ever is mold on them, I soak the curtains in oxyclean for a couple of days until it's gone. So it's good to have a backup curtain when the other one is washing.
Hi I love watching your videos! I noticed you have a candle..im a candle lover but I go through them so fast and I can spend up to $10 on just one..any tips on how to save on those type of items or how can I make my own?
Hi Monica :) Thank you!! I usually get my candles from target. I really like the soy ones, they smell so good!!! Best tip i can give is to buy them on sale. After holiday sales are the best because they can go for 70-90% off the retail price. Personally I don't spend more than $5 a candle. The one i have in the back ground was $2.50 :) It was a 2 for $5 deal.
The fabric shower curtains are a waterproof fabric blend, so it still holds the water in and it dries up a lot faster, so less mildew. I live in a high moisture area, so it's a must :)
Don't feel bad!! I know what that's like!! You have to try to focus on other things and build new habits. Maybe cleanout your closet and do some reorganizing and letting go. You really become more mindful and aware when you can see how much stuff you already have. Sometimes you forget about things when their buried somewhere in the closet. I would also avoid going to the stores or browsing online. There's always gonna be something better and more beautiful that your gonna want, but it's learning to say no and appreciating what you already have that will make the biggest difference.
I wouldn't call them completely disposable bath mats that is one time use. There the ones with the white plastic bottoms that when u go to wash them in the washer they fall apart and make a mess.
I've heard of the no poo method :) How long did it take your hair to adjust? I've tried it in the past and it didn't work out for me. I have really dandruff prone scalp >_
You shouldn't put your plants near to the place you are sleeping. Because on day time it gives oxygen, but at night takes it back. So if you want to breath healthy at night - remove them.
Really!! I never heard of that, thanks for informing :) We don't usually keep the plant there, I just have it there for the video, to add some warmth to my background. lolz
I actually like loofahs once in a while if i get them as a gift. I find them more for luxury use. Wash cloths are super cheaper and you can wash and reuse them over and over again.
