I don't buy Kleenex I use hankies. I have bad allergies and the soft cotton squares are gentler on my nose and last longer. I used to buy hankies and I still do occasionally if I find a great deal at the thrift store but mostly I make them out of old clothes.
Corollary: I don't buy tissues because I have toilet paper. The soft kind. Works great/exactly the same. Re: hankies, I don't own hankies specifically but I will keep a fabric napkin/washcloth handy when I have a cold and need frequent nose dabbing that can make tissue use feel excessive and wasteful (and time consuming).
I never buy tissue either. Mostly because I’m cheap - but also because I inherited a handful of lovely hankies from my nana and grandpa. Same with cloth napkins! I inherited a batch of classic napkins from Vera (print) and love them.
I only buy books if my library doesn't have them or if I want them to mark up / have on hand for reference.
I don't buy premade wet dog food - I cook all of my boy's food myself and just supplement with dry kibble.
Also.... single purpose kitchen gadgets (something else almost always works just as well), clothes that are only good for the moment their design is popular, clothes that I can't mix and match with other things already in my closet, top (flat) sheets, candy, cable / satellite tv service, music (cds / digital downloads), movies (digital downloads), magazines (the library almost always has the digital version now!) and so much more. Love this!
Some of my cat's favorite toys are wine corks but I don't drink so I have to ask people for theirs. They also really enjoyed playing with these little plastic dividers that came with the shelving units. Actual pieces of plastic that's job was just to ship the item but boy when you bat them across the smooth floor they flew and the cats really love those. And like dogs they prefer laying on my dirty clothes over lying in their clean bed.
I dont buy ziploc bags - when I happen to get one I save them and reuse...not even for environmental reasons, I just cant bring myself to BUY them for some reason :)
In a similar vein, I like to use things I already have and that are hopefully useful for a long time for a variety of uses. Things like Ball jars that can be used for food prep, food storage, random organizing of small items, drinking out of, and as small pots for plants. 🪴 🫙 🫘 🖇️
I'm trying to be more conscious about what I buy and consume. I moved to the other side of country 2.5 years ago while being completely broke. My life had to fit into my dad's friend's van and my grandparent's RV. I downsized A LOT doing that, couldn't take most of my furniture and lots of other things had to go as well. I was able to buy the couch from the previous tenant of my new apartment, my grandparents gave me an old wardrobe and I got the furniture I still needed used. I used to have lots of books, but was only able to take a few with me. I have pretty severe joint pain now and holding physical books is difficult and painful, so I prefer ebooks on my phone now. I love using the Libby library app! I also stopped buying single use menstrual products over 10 years ago and don't have to buy anything anymore for that in general, I have a good amount of washable cloth pads. Most of them are about 10 years old and still going strong despite having been washed hot lots of times. My cat is not a big fan of toys, she's a senior kitty and prefers relaxing. But when I get her to play, it's with a toy I made out of a long ribbon, a friendship bracelet and a pen that's out of ink.
I don't buy paper towels. I started not-buying them because my ex-husband was (still is, as far as I know) an idiot, and he abused them. He would use them for stupid stuff, e.g., using them dry to wipe up something sticky, like syrup. And I got annoyed enough that I just quit buying them, so as to force him to use a rag and wipe down things properly. (It only sorta worked.) I've long since gotten rid of the husband (15+ years ago), but once I got out of the habit of buying them, I realized I didn't really miss them. The only time I miss them is when I fry bacon...it would be nice to have them to drain the bacon on. But I have a couple old, flat-fold cloth diapers that I've saved for only draining bacon and that works reasonably well.
I also quit buying Kleenex because of him... when we ran out of toilet paper, rather than go get a new roll, he would use Kleenex. It ticked me off, so I quit buying Kleenex. And once again... I found I don't really miss it. I either use hankerchiefs or toilet paper. (In fact, I'm typing this from my home office and I have a roll of toilet paper next to my computer specifically for nose-blowing.)
At some point in my 30s I decided I was just not going to buy “beauty” products for my face - especially those that were supposed to make me look and feel younger. Mostly I am lazy and cheap and can’t do any sort of routine, but I’ve realized how much time and energy I can save when I don’t have to pay attention to the ads or trends around cosmetics. I really appreciate your post - sometimes I get caught up in stuff that we “need” for health or educational purposes so your missive is a lovely reminder.
My cat's favorite toys are whatever shipping box has arrived most recently in our house, or pretty much anything my 6yo has dropped on the ground (e.g., marker, pom pom, bead). No more buying cat toys.
I stopped buying granola many years ago when I came across NYT olive oil granola recipe and memorized its general ratios (a very forgiving recipe).
I believe in not buying! I always try to borrow from friends if it’s a one time or intermittent thing. Or check on buy nothing groups for something I need more often. I am very content with what I can acquire through my hunts.
My neighborhood is full of different fruit trees and neighbors share-so I never buy lemons, apples, zucchini, and get so many delicious figs.
Love this. My baby's current favorite toy is a potato in a tupperware container.
For a long time, my kids’ favorite toy was a stack of red Solo cups. Highly recommended.
I’m a librarian so I very very rarely buy books! This confused people so much! I own maybe 20 books lol
I don't buy Kleenex I use hankies. I have bad allergies and the soft cotton squares are gentler on my nose and last longer. I used to buy hankies and I still do occasionally if I find a great deal at the thrift store but mostly I make them out of old clothes.
Corollary: I don't buy tissues because I have toilet paper. The soft kind. Works great/exactly the same. Re: hankies, I don't own hankies specifically but I will keep a fabric napkin/washcloth handy when I have a cold and need frequent nose dabbing that can make tissue use feel excessive and wasteful (and time consuming).
I’m also a hanky person! Usually mine are $1 craft store bandanas but I have a few vintage ones!
I never buy tissue either. Mostly because I’m cheap - but also because I inherited a handful of lovely hankies from my nana and grandpa. Same with cloth napkins! I inherited a batch of classic napkins from Vera (print) and love them.
I love this message! I’m so tired of being sold to. Thank you.
We did have a lot of baby toys, but one of our child’s early favorites was a box of pasta.
I only buy books if my library doesn't have them or if I want them to mark up / have on hand for reference.
I don't buy premade wet dog food - I cook all of my boy's food myself and just supplement with dry kibble.
Also.... single purpose kitchen gadgets (something else almost always works just as well), clothes that are only good for the moment their design is popular, clothes that I can't mix and match with other things already in my closet, top (flat) sheets, candy, cable / satellite tv service, music (cds / digital downloads), movies (digital downloads), magazines (the library almost always has the digital version now!) and so much more. Love this!
Some of my cat's favorite toys are wine corks but I don't drink so I have to ask people for theirs. They also really enjoyed playing with these little plastic dividers that came with the shelving units. Actual pieces of plastic that's job was just to ship the item but boy when you bat them across the smooth floor they flew and the cats really love those. And like dogs they prefer laying on my dirty clothes over lying in their clean bed.
I dont buy ziploc bags - when I happen to get one I save them and reuse...not even for environmental reasons, I just cant bring myself to BUY them for some reason :)
Ha! Love Every! I got their ads too.
In a similar vein, I like to use things I already have and that are hopefully useful for a long time for a variety of uses. Things like Ball jars that can be used for food prep, food storage, random organizing of small items, drinking out of, and as small pots for plants. 🪴 🫙 🫘 🖇️
I'm trying to be more conscious about what I buy and consume. I moved to the other side of country 2.5 years ago while being completely broke. My life had to fit into my dad's friend's van and my grandparent's RV. I downsized A LOT doing that, couldn't take most of my furniture and lots of other things had to go as well. I was able to buy the couch from the previous tenant of my new apartment, my grandparents gave me an old wardrobe and I got the furniture I still needed used. I used to have lots of books, but was only able to take a few with me. I have pretty severe joint pain now and holding physical books is difficult and painful, so I prefer ebooks on my phone now. I love using the Libby library app! I also stopped buying single use menstrual products over 10 years ago and don't have to buy anything anymore for that in general, I have a good amount of washable cloth pads. Most of them are about 10 years old and still going strong despite having been washed hot lots of times. My cat is not a big fan of toys, she's a senior kitty and prefers relaxing. But when I get her to play, it's with a toy I made out of a long ribbon, a friendship bracelet and a pen that's out of ink.
I haven’t bought a greeting card in years! Bdays, anniversaries, graduations, thank yous, all end up as handmade cards
I don't buy paper towels. I started not-buying them because my ex-husband was (still is, as far as I know) an idiot, and he abused them. He would use them for stupid stuff, e.g., using them dry to wipe up something sticky, like syrup. And I got annoyed enough that I just quit buying them, so as to force him to use a rag and wipe down things properly. (It only sorta worked.) I've long since gotten rid of the husband (15+ years ago), but once I got out of the habit of buying them, I realized I didn't really miss them. The only time I miss them is when I fry bacon...it would be nice to have them to drain the bacon on. But I have a couple old, flat-fold cloth diapers that I've saved for only draining bacon and that works reasonably well.
I also quit buying Kleenex because of him... when we ran out of toilet paper, rather than go get a new roll, he would use Kleenex. It ticked me off, so I quit buying Kleenex. And once again... I found I don't really miss it. I either use hankerchiefs or toilet paper. (In fact, I'm typing this from my home office and I have a roll of toilet paper next to my computer specifically for nose-blowing.)
At some point in my 30s I decided I was just not going to buy “beauty” products for my face - especially those that were supposed to make me look and feel younger. Mostly I am lazy and cheap and can’t do any sort of routine, but I’ve realized how much time and energy I can save when I don’t have to pay attention to the ads or trends around cosmetics. I really appreciate your post - sometimes I get caught up in stuff that we “need” for health or educational purposes so your missive is a lovely reminder.
My cat's favorite toys are whatever shipping box has arrived most recently in our house, or pretty much anything my 6yo has dropped on the ground (e.g., marker, pom pom, bead). No more buying cat toys.
I stopped buying granola many years ago when I came across NYT olive oil granola recipe and memorized its general ratios (a very forgiving recipe).
I believe in not buying! I always try to borrow from friends if it’s a one time or intermittent thing. Or check on buy nothing groups for something I need more often. I am very content with what I can acquire through my hunts.
My neighborhood is full of different fruit trees and neighbors share-so I never buy lemons, apples, zucchini, and get so many delicious figs.