Things I No Longer Buy

                                                                                     Image: Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Recently I watched several You Tube videos where people talk about things they no longer purchase. There are things I don't buy now that I did years ago when I had young children, was in the paid workforce or owned a car. As well there are things I have more recently decided I don't need to buy or choose not to out of concern for the environment or to save a few dollars.

On the other hand there are many things I didn't buy when I moved out of home and shared a room at a girls' hostel while I was studying. Wow, that's a long time ago. I didn't have the money, there wasn't room to store things in a shared bedroom and back then there were fewer things available in the shops. And there was no internet so no online shopping.

One's needs and attitudes change over the years. I have also been influenced by trends and the ideas being put forward in books and online.

There are things I didn't need in the past so I didn't buy them but I do need them now, you know things like orthotics to support my feet.

Watching these videos got me thinking about items I no longer buy and why. I recently set myself a six month shopping ban during which time I tried to avoid all unnecessary purchases. Since the end of this experiment I have bought some unnecessary things but am really happy with those purchases. I tend to donate something to an op shop when an additional item comes into my house so the clutter doesn't build up.

Items I no longer buy include-

• Body spray and perfume. I like some fragrances but I am aware a growing number of people are allergic to these items. They tend to be in containers which are not good for the environment.
• Shower gel. I use a minimally packaged soap that is kind to my skin. I had to experiment to find soap that didn't dry out my skin.
• Nail polish. I actually like nail polish but either the nail polish or the remover, not sure which, seems to make my nails peel these days. I have tried a few brands but my nails don't react well to any. I have decided not to bother with nail polish, better for the environment not to buy it anyway.
• Bubble bath and similar
• Hair spray and similar styling products
• Hair styling gadgets and products that accompany them. I have straight hair but owned a hair straightener at one time because, well, everyone straightened their hair then. And then I needed product to put on my hair to protect it from too much heat. I also owned a curling tongs.
• Thongs/flip-flops. They make my feet hurt as they don't provide any support.
• Coat. It doesn't get really cold here and I own two parkas which provide enough warmth and keep me dry so I have no need of a coat of any sort.
• Cut flowers. I used to treat myself to a bunch of flowers from the shop now and then but now I just pick some from the garden. Even when I think there are no flowers to pick, if I really look I will find something. I may mix a couple of flowers in with some greenery. Yesterday I picked the one and only bird of paradise flower and put it in a vase with a small branch from the grapefruit tree. I don't like grapefruit so would have tried to find someone to give the grapefruit to had I left them to mature. I added a couple of pieces of ivy and hibiscus and am happy with the result.
  
  
  

  

                                                                                                         Image:Marie Vonow

  • Souvenir fridge magnets. I used to think they were cute but now I can't see the point and they seem to be a waste of money. However, if I see one featuring an echidna I will buy it because I have recently become very interested in them.
• Anything related to a car such as steering wheel covers, car seat covers and the like. Well, I don't have a car any more so have absolutely no use for any of these things.
• Extra wine glasses. I have one set of wine glasses which I use for any type of wine. These days I tend to go out for a meal instead of having people over and I rarely drink alcohol anyway so having different glasses for red and white wine, cocktails etc is a waste of cupboard space.
• Milk jugs. At one time I had a number of these in different sizes but I never use them now so don't own any and won't be buying any. The same goes for sugar bowls.
• Extra crockery. I have a basic white set and that's it. At one time I had a 'good' set to use when we had visitors and various bits and pieces of china for different purposes.
• Fancy kitchen gadgets. I won't use them and then I feel guilty so it's better not to purchase them in the first place.
  
  
  These are just a few of the things I don't currently buy. I wonder what other items I will be able to add to the list in the future.
  
  Are there things you used to buy but don't now?