Since adopting a more Minimalist lifestyle, there are a few things I wonder why I ever wasted good money on. Adopting a Minimalist lifestye requires before any new purchase, the following questions are asked: Do I REALLY need this item?; How much use will I REALLY get from this item?; Can I borrow this item, rather than buy it?; Is this purchase in line with my new values?

Given the new consciousness I employ before making a purchase I am more aware of those items I will never waste my hard earned money on again:

* Cable TV--I can watch any television program from network television to cable programming on the internet for free. In fact, a new report released by the Yankee Group indicates one in eight Americans will drop their cable TV subscription before the end of 2010. So, I actually consider myself a trendsetter in this area because I have been without cable since 2008--Yeah me!

* Magazine Subscriptions--I now assign one Saturday out of the month library day. On this day, I read all of my favorite magazines for free, then LEAVE them at the library--no more unnecessary clutter to recycle. This is also the day I check out or return any books I want to read/have already read.

* A NEW car--I will probably never be car-free, like some Minimalist. But, I will certainly never pay full price for a such an expensive depreciating asset again. From this point forward, it is Certified Pre-Owned all the way, baby!

* Home Decor--There are entirely too many consignment stores that sell these items in excellent to very good condition at a fraction of the cost. Why do I need a brand new vase anyway? Or picture frames or lamps?

*Gym Membership--I love running and it is free. Besides, I never got my money's worth because the act of having to drive to the location to work out was just too much of a hassle for me. I used the membership only because I was paying for it, not because I enjoyed it. So, never again.

*A Pet--there are thousands of perfectly good pets at the pound who need a home, especially after many pet owners could not afford to keep their pets due to the effects of the Great Recession. Sure, I'll have to pay to have the pet spayed/neutered and vaccinated, but not for the pet itself.

*Ringtones--they are ridiculous to me. No offense to anyone who has one, but I just don't get it. My phone can have a regular ring like in the old day, circa 2005. This is just another way cellphone companies have found to jack up the cost of the service--and consumers are falling for it hook, line and sinker.

So, that's the short list of the things I will never pay for again. What are some things you will never pay for or never pay for again?

10 Comments:

  1. Keith said...
    I think these are great. I've been looking for ways to cut back myself.
    Divine and Debt Free said...
    Love the list!!! I agree with everything on it. I haven't had cable since 08 as well. Don't miss it either but watching it at someone else who pays for it is a luxury lol, I enjoy it while it last then go back to my cable free apt.
    The Asian Pear said...
    I hear ya on the ringtones. I got ringtones on my first cellphone and since then never more. Nokia standard ringtone? Good enough for me. :)
    Anonymous said...
    Great list! I recently discovered the free section of Craigslist and have determined that if you're in the market for a couch, futon, desk, bookshelf, exercise bike or even hot tub... they are free for the asking on Craigslist, and if you don't see one you like, just wait a day or two and there will be 20 more!

    And in terms of gym memberships... I sort of like to measure how much sense something makes by asking myself what someone from Mars would think about it. I always wonder what the Martians would say about us... we refuse to get up and walk across the room to change the TV channel, yet we pay thousands of dollars to run around on little machines like rats...
    FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...
    *runs through the list*

    Check on everything, including NOT buying a new car.

    LOL@Rebecca for this comment:
    we refuse to get up and walk across the room to change the TV channel, yet we pay thousands of dollars to run around on little machines like rats...
    365 Fashion Rehab said...
    I LOVE this list! I haven't bought one home decor item since finishing rehab and I want it to be from a consignment store or a market. My car is used, would only get a pet in need (have you seen petfinder.com? it is a great resource for little furry friends that need homes) and I say no to ringtones, too! I can't get rid of my cable though. The convenience of the DVR and my obsession with the Food Network make it way too hard to say bye bye.
    Love, A
    www.365fashionrehab.com
    Anonymous said...
    Agreed, sister!

    I have been debating for the longest time if I should get Tetris on my cell phone. Have been pondering since I got my phone 2 years ago, and still haven't forked over the $7.
    Everyday Tips said...
    It is so ironic I came across this post today because at soccer practice tonight, someone was commenting on how they saw someone reading a magazine at the library and found it perplexing. Of course, I understood...

    I don't think I could give up cable because there are many shows we enjoy as a family, and I don't want us all to have to crowd around the computer. Of course, if I was totally broke it would go, but it would not be my first choice.

    We dropped our gym membership last year, and I actually have a post coming up about that on Wednesday. We seem to be on the same page today!

    Enjoyed the post!
    Annie said...
    Great list! You bring up some great points here...
    Anonymous said...
    I never thought about designating a library day to read magazines. Good Idea. I know a young couple that used to spend evenings at the bookstore reading. They would just write down the page they left off at and pick it up again another day.

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