What I Stopped Buying to Simplify My Life
There was a moment about two years ago when I stood in the cleaning aisle of my local supermarket, completely overwhelmed. I had three different surface sprays in my trolley, my toddler was asking for a snack, and I suddenly thought: why am I making this so complicated?
That moment sparked something in me — a gradual but powerful shift away from the endless cycle of buying, storing, and eventually throwing away things that weren’t truly serving our family. What started as a small experiment has transformed into a simpler, lighter way of living that I genuinely love.
If you’re feeling buried under stuff, constantly tidying, or just sensing that there must be a better way, I want to share what I stopped buying — and how it’s changed everything.
Disposable Cleaning Products
This was the first big shift for me, and honestly, it’s saved us hundreds of dollars. I stopped buying paper towels, disposable wipes, and those single-use cleaning pads that promise convenience but just create more waste (and expense).
Instead, I switched to:
- Reusable bamboo or cotton cloths that I wash weekly
- A simple homemade all-purpose cleaner (white vinegar, water, and a few drops of eucalyptus oil)
- Microfibre cloths for windows and mirrors
- Old cotton t-shirts cut into rags for really messy jobs
The initial outlay for good quality reusable cloths pays for itself within a couple of months. Plus, I no longer have that panicked moment of realising we’ve run out of paper towels during a milk spill emergency. There’s always a clean cloth in the drawer.
Excess Kids’ Stuff
I’ll be honest — this one required a mindset shift more than anything. As mums, we’re constantly bombarded with marketing telling us our children need the latest educational toy, the trendiest clothes, or a bedroom full of stuff to be happy.
Here’s what I’ve learned: they don’t. My kids are actually calmer and more creative with less.
I stopped buying:
- Cheap plastic toys that break within weeks
- Character-themed everything (it dates so quickly)
- Excessive craft supplies we never use
- Clothes “just because they’re on sale”
Now, I invest in fewer, higher-quality items. Open-ended toys like wooden blocks, quality art supplies, and dress-up basics that spark imagination rather than dictate play. When birthdays and Christmas roll around, we ask family for experience gifts or contributions to something meaningful.
If you’re looking to transition to more sustainable toys, there are some beautiful Australian-made wooden toy brands worth exploring — they cost more upfront but last for years and can be passed down.
Single-Purpose Kitchen Gadgets
That avocado slicer. The egg separator. The banana holder. Why did I ever think I needed a special tool for every single food item?
I did a brutal kitchen declutter and got rid of anything that only did one job (and that job could easily be done with a knife or my hands). Now my drawers close properly, I can actually find things, and cooking feels less chaotic.
What I kept and actually use:
- A good quality chef’s knife
- A sturdy chopping board
- Cast iron pan (lasts forever with proper care)
- One reliable baking tray and casserole dish
- A stick blender that handles almost everything
The freedom of opening a drawer and seeing only what you need is genuinely underrated.
Fast Fashion and “Just In Case” Clothes
I used to buy cheap tops thinking I was being budget-savvy. But they’d pill after three washes, lose their shape, and end up in the donation bin (or worse, landfill). I was spending more money replacing things constantly than if I’d just bought quality in the first place.
These days, I have a capsule wardrobe approach. Not in a rigid, Instagram-perfect way — just fewer pieces that I actually love and wear regularly. Neutral basics that mix and match, and a few pieces that make me feel genuinely good.
I also stopped buying clothes “just in case” — you know, that dress for an event that might happen, or those jeans that might fit one day. If it doesn’t fit my life right now, it doesn’t come home with me.
Bathroom Products I Don’t Need
My bathroom cabinet used to be stuffed with half-used products, samples I was “saving,” and bottles of things I bought because marketing convinced me I had a problem that needed solving.
Now, I keep it simple:
- A gentle face cleanser and moisturiser
- Solid shampoo and conditioner bars (less plastic, last ages)
- Coconut oil for about fifteen different uses
- A good natural deodorant
- Basic oral care essentials
Streamlining our bathroom routine has made mornings calmer and means less decision fatigue when I’m already tired. Plus, the kids have learned that we don’t need twenty different bubble bath options — one good one is plenty.
The Unexpected Benefits
What surprised me most about this journey wasn’t the money saved (though that’s been significant). It’s been the mental space that opened up.
Less stuff means:
- Less cleaning and organising
- Fewer decisions to make daily
- Less guilt about waste and clutter
- More appreciation for what we do have
- A calmer home environment for the whole family
It’s also taught my kids valuable lessons about intentionality and contentment. They’re learning that happiness doesn’t come from accumulating more — a lesson I wish I’d understood earlier myself.
Getting Started: My Best Tips
If this resonates with you, don’t feel like you need to overhaul everything overnight. That’s just another form of overwhelm.
Start small:
- Choose one category (cleaning products, bathroom items, or kitchen gadgets) and assess what you actually use
- Before any purchase, ask yourself: do I already own something that does this job?
- Wait 48 hours before buying anything non-essential — often the urge passes
- Focus on using up what you have before replacing it
Simplifying isn’t about deprivation or living with bare cupboards. It’s about surrounding yourself only with things that genuinely serve your family and letting go of the rest.
Two years on, I can honestly say our home feels lighter, our budget stretches further, and I spend far less time managing stuff — which means more time for the people and moments that actually matter.
What’s one thing you could stop buying to simplify your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, and if this post resonated with you, please share it with a friend who might need a little encouragement to simplify too.
