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In the age of technology, many apps and websites have emerged to make our lives easier. However, I beg the question.. Was it really that annoying to begin with?
Companies will try to sell you stuff that you absolutely, positively do NOT need, and I find that to be more and more apparent every time I see any kind of advertisement. In order to save a boat load of money, and avoid having unnecessary clutter, I challenge you to really think about what it is that you need.
Below is a list of things I complied that I found really aren’t that annoying, and I would encourage you to do the same! Really take the time to think about what you’re spending your money on, and ask if the cost is worth the apparent convenience it brings. I would venture to guess you’ll find more than a few things that really aren’t that annoying…
Toasting bread in the oven. My kitchen is tiny, so I really try to be intentional about which small kitchen appliances I bring in to my house… When I moved here and was thinking about what to buy, it was months before I realized I didn’t have a toaster. (I’m clearly not a toast person). So, I learned that making toast in the oven is easy peasy, and saves space in my kitchen cabinets.
Brewing coffee the old fashioned way. Again, I hate small kitchen appliances. Plus, I think coffee brewers are a little tacky. French press is where. it’s. at. Not only is the coffee a bazillion times better, but you free up space on your countertop!
Grocery shopping. Yeah, uh huh, I know we’re all busy (squawk squawk). It’s soooo much more convenient to order your groceries online during your lunch break, and have them delivered to your door.. But is it? For me, if I take the time I would spend online ordering the groceries menu planning, and making a clear grocery list (all produce in one part of your list, all dry in one part, frozen in one part, etc.), I can be in and out of the grocery store in less than twenty minutes. AND, shopping in person helps me sort through comparable items that might be on sale, that an online portal won’t show you. On top of all that, when you have groceries delivered you (rightly!) have to tip the driver. Doing it yourself saves you the tip (which, month by month, really adds up).
Looking for amazing recipes and cooking said recipes. This is a knock on Blue Apron, Home Chef, and all those other cooking meal delivery things. OK, I’ll be the first to admit that I love them. Their recipes are always fantastic, and I’ve learned some really great cooking skills from their boxes. But, let’s be honest here, can you cook amazing recipes for less than $70 a week (for a household of two)? 10000% yes. I understand the convenience factor, but if you’re trying to cut spending, maybe it’s time to do your own recipe scouring and meal planning.. (Psssst all of the meal delivery recipe cards are available online!)
Clothes shopping. This is where I get the most passionate. Come. The. Freak. On. You canNOT convince me that places like Stitch Fix are in ANY way good for anyone’s budget. First of all, in what universe is clothes shopping in person anything but fun? I love shopping and making a day of it with the girls… Ok, I get that not everyone can relate to that, but I would venture to guess most ladies would agree. When you get a box of hand-picked clothes just for you delivered to your door, I can assure you that you will be spending way more money on these clothes if you choose to keep them than you would if you went out shopping the good old fashioned way. Heck, even treat yourself to lunch and/or coffee with the girls at the Nordstrom Cafe.. Even if you do, you’ll come out more on top than if you constantly bought from that little box.
Getting your hair done at the beauty school. I have had friends disagree with me on this one, but I love going to the Paul Mitchell School to get my hair done, and have yet to have a bad experience. Fortunately for me, cutting/coloring my hair is pretty straight-forward, but I have known people to have bad experiences. Plus, you do end up being there for a long time, much longer than you would at a salon. For me, it’s definitely worth it. I’d gladly fork over 3-4 hours of my Saturday if it means saving as much as $250.
Air drying your clothes. I’ve written about this several times before, but I figured out that my dryer costs approximately $8 each time I run it. Now that I’ve started air drying everything, my clothes look better, and I save anywhere from $40-$50 in utilities a month. Oyyy.
Picking up your own takeout. So many people have been talking about Uber Eats as if it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. Why would you spend an extra $4-7 on a meal that costs $10-$15 to begin with? Get your toosh off the couch, and go get your own darn takeout.
Using a charcoal grill. OK, actually, maybe this is a little annoying…. I recently caved and bought a little George Foreman Grill, but it’s just not the same. The smoky, charcoal flavor that comes from using a charcoal grill is unparalleled. Mmmmm. So good.
Growing your own vegetables. With all of the information out there on the Internet, you can read about just about anything when it comes to veggie growing. Try it! You might pleasantly surprise yourself, and save a TON of money on produce. Here’s my little cherry tomato container garden…
