We all like to believe we’re doing our best to save money, but in reality, we often buy stuff we don’t need. Even worse, we may occasionally buy items we hardly use (if at all).
In order to reduce waste, get rid of clutter, and save money, it’s important to first recognize the products that you really don’t need and probably won’t use regularly. So, to help you get started in removing useless items from your life, here are 15 products that are not worth buying in the first place.
1. Dietary Supplements
These days, it’s easy to open any social media app and see all kinds of ads for “natural muscle builders,” “fast weight loss,” “critical brain nutrients,” and “strong immunity boosters.” As slick as these ads can be, there’s usually no point in buying any of these dietary supplements. Since they don’t have to prove any of their “healthy” claims, you don’t have to spend any of your money on this stuff.
2. Bottled Water
When we see bottled water for sale at a gift shop or gas station, we feel the urge to buy it to quench our thirst. But as counterintuitive as it may seem, reusable water bottles are simply better all around. They’re better for the environment, your health, and your wallet. Next time you head out, remember to take your reusable water bottle and fill it at a drinking fountain or filling station.
3. Gas Station Junk Food
Like water bottles, these bags of junk food look appealing, and they might seem like a no-brainer when you’re hungry during a road trip. Not only is this junk food full of empty calories that don’t help you meet your nutrition goals, but it can also take a major toll on your wallet. If you regularly do longer drives and road trips, it may be worth it to start a habit of packing your own snacks to take with you.
4. Video Game and Social Media In-app Purchases
At first glance, it might seem like “nothing” to pay to unlock certain benefits in those viral smartphone video games (like Candy Crush) or to pay for roses and other tokens to “gift” to your favorite TikTok influencers. But over time, these in-app purchases add up. Eventually, you’ll see your bank statement and wonder why you spent all that money on meaningless in-app purchases that do nothing for you in the real world.
5. Filterless ‘Air Purifiers’
Here’s something that’s not only useless but can even be dangerous. Ionic “air purifiers” allegedly clean the air in a room by collecting tiny particles with negatively charged ions. Yet, during the charging process, these “air purifiers” actually release small amounts of ozone that you should not be breathing. If you’re really concerned about the air quality of your home and/or office, it’s better to invest in something with a real filter.
6. Souvenir Keychains
Keychains tend to be go-to souvenirs during vacations since they’re cheap, and it seems every gift shop carries them. Yet even though their price tags appear low, the markups on these keychains can be huge. Be honest: how often do you use keychains? Maybe one or two souvenir keychains won’t hurt you, but it’s not a good idea to get in the habit of buying them every time you travel.
7. Tacky T-shirts
Like keychains, tacky, tasteless t-shirts have become a mainstay at souvenir gift shops around the world. Like keychains, touristy t-shirts usually sport major markups. If you find a t-shirt on sale made with good cotton and showcases your favorite place, it’s OK to buy one occasionally. But when it comes to overpriced theme park shirts or shirts plastered with inappropriate bathroom jokes, it’s best to avoid those entirely.
8. Cheap Jewelry
Jewelry is another go-to souvenir when traveling, yet it’s just another souvenir that typically results in pointless clutter at home. If you find a beautiful, hand-crafted piece from a local artist, then it might be worthwhile to invest in something you’ll actually want to wear often. But if it’s another bracelet with your name on it that looks like it was made in a factory (because it probably was), just don’t bother.
9. Reckless Coupons
If you know what you’re doing and you’re disciplined in your shopping, coupons can help you save money at the store. But if you’re regularly cutting or downloading coupons to buy stuff you don’t really need, you’re not actually saving money. Unless the coupons are for products and services you can actually use, such as for car repairs and pantry staples, you’re probably better off skipping past them.
10. Gendered Deodorants and Antiperspirants
No matter what you see in TV ads, there’s no meaningful difference between deodorants and antiperspirants marketed to men versus those marketed to women. When you pay extra for that supposedly special formula, you’re actually paying more for fancy packaging and a certain specific scent. As long as you have a deodorant or antiperspirant with the right active ingredients, it will do the job just fine.
11. Electronic ‘Screen Cleaner’ Spray
Every so often, you might find this “screen cleaner” spray for sale and wonder whether it will work on your phone or tablet. Spoiler alert: It probably will work, but you’ll just waste money on a product that doesn’t work any better than plain water and a simple microfiber cloth.
12. Jumbo Spice Jars
Over the years, we’ve been trained to believe we save whenever we buy bulk. While this may be the case for non-perishable goods that can last a long time in the pantry or closet, this is simply not the case for spices that are perishable and typically don’t need to be used in large quantities. Unless you’re running a large commercial kitchen, you likely don’t need that gargantuan jar of pizza spices, taco seasoning, or Cajun-style seasoning.
13. ‘Healthy’ Chips
You might spot these “healthy” chip alternatives at the grocery store and grab some since they’re allegedly better for you. Actually, these “healthy” alternatives are usually anything but. They might be “made with nourishing fruit and veggies,” but they’re also chock full of additives that don’t add anything useful to your health. Try real fruit and veggies for healthy alternatives that support your financial well-being.
14. Sheet Masks
In the last decade or so, sheet masks became all the rage in beauty circles. Despite all the hype surrounding these sheet masks and their “amazing benefits,” there’s no real evidence that they produce lasting results on your skin. They might provide a temporary boost to your skin’s appearance, but they’re absolutely not worth the extra cost.
15. Energy Drinks
No matter how much of a boost you think you get from energy drinks, you’re really taking a hit. These pricey beverages hit your wallet hard, yet they can also take a toll on your health if you regularly drink these hyper-caffeinated products. You’re far better off sticking to a reasonable amount of coffee or tea, and you really need to focus on getting a decent amount of nightly sleep.
