10 Amazing Things I Stopped Buying to Save Money: How I Cut $150 a Month

If you’re looking to cut costs or work smarter with your personal finances, here’s a gentle and realistic approach I used: things I stopped buying to save money. These small changes freed up around $150 each month, without extreme deprivation or living on instant noodles. I’ll walk you through what I gave up, why it worked, and how even small changes can snowball into big savings.

The best part? These money saving strategies are realistic, beginner-friendly, and flexible enough to fit into your life. I didn’t give up everything fun or go into a total spending freeze I just started paying attention to the little things that were draining my wallet.

1. Fancy Coffee Runs

One of the first things I stopped buying to save money was my daily gourmet coffee. Spending $4–$5 every weekday didn’t seem like much until I did the math. That added up to almost $100–$120 per month!

Instead, I started brewing my coffee at home and treated myself to a café coffee just once or twice a week. I bought a nice travel mug and a small milk frother, which made home coffee feel like a treat. Not only did this save money, but it also made coffee a little ritual I could enjoy without the guilt

2. Bottled Water

Another easy win was cutting out bottled water. I switched to a reusable water bottle and a small filter pitcher at home.

This was one of the simplest things I stopped buying to save money, saving me roughly $10–$15 per month while also reducing plastic waste. Little changes like this feel good because they save money and make a small positive environmental impact

3. Extra Streaming Services and Unused Subscriptions

Subscriptions are sneaky. I realized I had three streaming services, two apps, and a digital magazine subscription I barely used.

Canceling the extras gave me an immediate $20–$25 per month back in my pocket. It’s an underrated example of things I stopped buying to save money, and it also simplified my digital life. Now, if I want to watch something exclusive, I subscribe for just a month and then cancel again.

4. Impulse App Purchases

Scrolling through the app store and buying a $2 upgrade here or $3 sticker pack there seemed harmless, but these micro-expenses were adding up to $10–$15 per month.

I made a rule: if I want an app purchase, I wait 24 hours. Most of the time, the “urgent” purchase didn’t feel necessary the next day. By listing this under things I stopped buying to save money, I became more aware of how easily small digital spending leaks into our budget.

5. Packaged Snacks and Sodas

I used to grab soda and chips from the convenience store on my way to work. $2 here and $3 there might not feel like much, but it was easily $15 a week.

Now, I carry healthier homemade snacks and sometimes sparkling water from home. This swap saved me around $15–$20 a month. It’s one of the things I stopped buying to save money that also helped me make better food choices.

6. Brand-Name Cleaning Supplies

I once bought only brand-name cleaners, thinking they were automatically better. Over time, I realized I could clean almost everything with vinegar, baking soda, and water, plus a few budget-friendly store brands.

This adjustment added another $10–$15 savings per month to my things I stopped buying to save money list, without sacrificing a clean home.

7. Magazine and Print Subscriptions

I canceled two print magazines I rarely read and switched to free online content and newsletters.

This was an easy addition to my things I stopped buying to save money strategy, saving about $5–$10 monthly. It also freed up space in my home and cut down on paper waste.

8. Excess Electronics and Accessories

Cables, novelty chargers, extra headphones I was guilty of buying “just in case” items that I didn’t truly need.

Now I buy only replacements when something breaks. That small mindset shift meant fewer impulse Amazon purchases and about $10–$20 a month saved, another clear entry on my things I stopped buying to save money list.

9. Convenience Foods and Ready Meals

Buying ready-to-eat meals was convenient but expensive. A frozen entrée here, a grab-and-go dinner there, and suddenly I was spending $30–$40 extra per month.

By meal prepping on Sundays and cooking simple dishes in batches, I cut this expense almost entirely. This was one of the things I stopped buying to save money that also improved my diet and reduced food waste.

10. Daily Lunch Out

This one was huge. I used to buy lunch out 3–4 times a week, spending around $8–$10 each time.

Switching to leftovers and meal-prepped lunches saved me $30–$40 a month easily. It’s one of the most impactful things I stopped buying to save money, and surprisingly, I now prefer homemade meals because I control the ingredients and portion

How These Changes Build Smart Financial Habits

Adding up these things I stopped buying to save money created a ripple effect in my personal finances. By eliminating small, recurring costs:

• I freed up $150+ per month without feeling deprived
• I started tracking my expenses more carefully
• I built a small emergency savings fund

These changes are also part of smart money saving strategies focus first on repetitive expenses that quietly eat into your budget.

My Simple Month‑by‑Month Savings Plan

Expense Area	Savings per Month	Notes
Fancy Coffee	$100	Home brewing
Bottled Water	$15	Refillable bottle + filter
Subscriptions & Apps	$20	Canceled rarely used services
Snacks & Sodas	$15	Bring from home
Lunch Out	$30	Meal prep and leftovers
Total Savings	~$150	Adds up quickly over time

Final Thoughts

By examining the things I stopped buying to save money, I was able to free up around $150 per month, which is $1,800 per year. That’s real money I can now put toward emergency savings, debt repayment, or even small personal goals.

If you want to start your own journey, focus on habit-based spending first. Cancel an unused subscription, switch to home coffee, or prep lunches for a week. These budgeting tips and money saving strategies add up fast and don’t require extreme lifestyle changes.

In short, things I stopped buying to save money is a realistic, friendly approach to personal finance. Small, consistent steps can create big results one skipped bottled water or impulse app at a time.