13 Things I Almost Never Spend Money On
In case you didn't know, living in San Francisco is not cheap. Most people I know spend over half of what they net on rent, leaving a smaller amount than they would hope for for their transportation, overpriced groceries and the fun and exciting lifestyle they came to San Francisco to have in the first place. And don't even get me started on student loans and savings.
So when Steven and I moved downtown and filled our home with aesthetically curated decor and supplies, it caused a few people to ask me how we can afford it. Steven may have a job as a software engineer, but most of his money goes into savings and stock. And we aren't constantly receiving money from anyone (although I admit my mother will send me the occasional care package of acetone, paper towel and baking supplies.) So how are we able to pay our rent, bills and student loans on a monthly basis? The answer is simple: The same way anyone does. We outline our priorities.
Let me explain.
Think of all of your friends. I'm sure each and every one of them has expenses in their lives that make you scratch your head in disbelief. How does so-and-so afford their designer clothes? How is so-and-so always on vacation? How does so-and-so have money for a downpayment on a home already? And how is it that so-and-so can afford a round of drinks for everyone when we go out and never worries when they lose their phone for the eighth time that year? Sure, some of our friends are going into credit card debt and others are having their bills paid for by family. But so many of them are making it work by spending their money on the things they personally find important.
I knew someone I was jealous of because he was constantly traveling the world. But then I realized that when he wasn't on vacation, he was always at home in a modest apartment, eating on the cheap. For every time I go out to have cocktails and charcuterie, he was at home watching Netflix. And then later on, when I'd be at work, he'd be exploring Hong Kong. After a while, you start to realize that while not everyone's paycheck looks the same, everyone is spending money and not spending money in their unique fashion.
In order to afford my apartment, the food I post on Instagram, my belongings, and the vacations I do go on, I have to cut back on the things that aren't important to me. And that's what this list is. It's not a list of things I'm telling you not to spend money on. They're things that would be a waste of money for me personally based on my priorities. I've even included sidenotes of what I end up spending that money I save on. By reading this list, I hope you'll be inspired to think of the things you find important to spend on and what you could cut down on. You just might surprise yourself.
1. Beauty services I can do myself
Elle Woods always says "Why let someone else do for you what you can do yourself -- except in the case of eyebrow maintenance." But I would argue that if you can perfectly pluck your own brows, do that yourself too.
There is a list of beauty regiments that I personally realized over time were not worth it for me to get done in a salon. From Brazilian waxes to manicures and pedicures, to eyebrow maintenance, I lost the interest in spending the money and time to go to a salon and have it done by someone else. So I taught myself how to feasibly do those tasks on my own. That way I don't have to spend my lunch breaks in salons, work around their narrow hours of operation, or pay a hefty bill.
Plus I'm one of those people who cannot put up with chips in my nails, a spot in my bikini line or a brow hair out of place. And if I'm not able to do touch-ups at my leisure, I go crazy waiting/paying for touch-up appointments. In fact, I notice friends of mine who get their nails done will walk around for weeks with chipped polish or broken acrylics because time-wise and/or money-wise, they can't afford to do a touch-up or get them all redone for another few weeks. In those instances, I think we could all stand to watch a tutorial or two. Find the regiments you're willing and able to do yourself and watch your credit card bill lighten by a lot.
I'd rather spend that money on
A nice haircut or a much-needed massage. Since there's physically no way for me to give myself a haircut or a massage (at least without disaster taking place,) those are services I'd much rather pay for. I don't mind paying a little extra for a cut by the perfect stylist, or getting the kinks in my neck worked out by a professional, because I know I couldn't save money by doing it myself. Therefore it becomes more of a self-love treat than a tedious necessity that needs to be touched up or maintained later.
2. Subscriptions and Memberships
There are only a small handful of subscriptions I maintain: Costco, Spotify, Lifelock, and my Clipper Card Muni Fast-Pass with Bart privileges. But my lifestyle is a certain way where these subscriptions pay for themselves every time. A $60 yearly Costco membership saves me hundreds on food, paper products, medication and much more, Spotify saves me from ever having to buy the hundreds of songs I listen to every month, Lifelock protects me from identity theft should that ever occur, and I save a minimum of $30 commuting every month thanks to my fast pass.
But Birch Boxes, of-the-month subscriptions and automatic refill programs would personally drive me up the wall because not only do I have limited space to store items that don't get used, but I don't enjoy testing out new products. I am the kind of person who sticks to what they like and only likes spending money on sure things if I can help it. So a box full of skin creams and perfumes that I may or may not like does not sound good to me unless they were $Free.99. If a monthly payment doesn't save me money (Costco, Muni) or give me the convenience to live my life (Spotify, Lifelock,) I might as well leave it off my credit card statement, since I won't be having fun with them. I'm not saying I think you should go cancel your Ipsy account; I'm just saying you should get rid of the subscriptions that give you more stress or boredom than pleasure and confidence - whatever they may be.
I'd rather spend that money on
The everyday products I know will work or me. Like the face toner and cream I've used every day for 5 years, my trusted favorite eye-liner pen, or the perfume I know works with my body chemistry. Making a $200 trip to The Body Shop doesn't feel so expensive when I know I'm getting products I trust. If that's not exciting for you and you'd rather that $200 go towards a variety of fun products, you do you!
3. Drinks without a Purpose
Whether it's a frappuccino from Starbucks or a watered down vodka tonic at a local bar while I pass the time, if a drink doesn't serve a purpose, I'm not buying it. And by purpose I mean: Does it actually fuel you and give you energy? Does it actually taste good and make you happy? Are you drinking it socially at a networking event or company lunch with co-workers? Are you enjoying it with friends as an excuse to catch up? If any of those are true, I don't find it to be a waste.
If a cocktail or coffee drink is calming me down or pumping me up, tastes good, or fuels social situations, I'm down to pay the money. But if I'm only thinking of getting it to pass the time, or to get as tipsy as the people around me, it always feels like a waste of money afterwards. I've never been a fancy Starbucks drink kinda gal, but making the decision to not drink alcohol unless it tastes good or adds to a good experience has saved me hundreds of dollars (not to mention thousands of calories) and probably countless sips of awful drinks. And if my mouth is merely bored, I have learned to just chew gum or drink water.
I'd rather spend that money on
A fancy cocktail made of egg-whites or a glass of champagne somewhere nice. Or even a round of drinks for people I need to catch up with.
4. Workday lunch
While it's painful to watch my coworkers sit next to me with wafting soup and salad combos or Senor Sisig, I refuse to spend money on lunch during the workday. Like I said in the previous list item, if buying food during the workday brings you closer to a co-worker for an afternoon or allows you to network and catch up with friends who work a few blocks away, I'm all for it. But with my lunch break being 30 minutes long and the restaurants around me charging a minimum of $9 for food, that'll add up way too quickly for me to find it worth it.
Instead, I pack my lunch every night before a workday with my dinner leftovers. It saves me from having to throw them out and allows me to have an expense-free lunch break. Not the most glamorous experience ever, but for me, very worth it.
I'd rather spend that money on
Dinner out on the town my boyfriend during the weekend.
5. TAKE OUT AND DELIVERY
There's nothing that drives me insane more than fast food, take-out or delivery. Not only do I hate paper bags leaking with grease, styrofoam containers cluttering my counters or all the napkins and disposable utensils I have to reluctantly toss after every order, but I also hate realizing I just spent money on a meal that probably wasn't cheap, wasn't healthy and wasn't as delicious as what I could make myself.
I save takeout or delivery for nights when one or both of us are sick, or when some emergency occurs leaving us with no time for cooking. And fast food is saved for road trips. Because when I can help it, I want to cook for myself. Cooking saves me money, I know what's going into every dish, and I can create something healthy and guaranteed to be tasty. So even though it takes time and energy, I find it way more worth it than paying $50 for Chinese takeout because I had to add on two orders of egg rolls for to make the delivery minimum.
I'd rather spend that money on
Groceries for my home-cooked meals or like I said in point 3, a nice dinner out with Steven over the weekend. You guys always ask me how I can eat at so many restaurants on my Instagram and it's because the money that would go toward convenient food goes towards my meals on the town during the weekend. I also try to eat healthier during the week to save my calories for when they really matter to me...like when I can eat chicken liver mousse on crostini. Same concept.
6. Shipping and handling
I only spend money on shipping and handling when I have absolutely no choice. And that only happens once or twice a month.
Every month, Steven and I have a ton of things delivered to our apartment from Amazon, home decor retailers and um...I'll admit...Live Love Polish. But we almost never pay for shipping. Not only because Prime is so wonderful, but also because shipping and handling these days can cost as much as the product. If I come across a product that requires a minimum for free shipping, I scour the site looking for things I was already going to buy. And if I can't make the minimum without adding nonsense to my cart, I usually search other sites online to find the product with free shipping. It works for the most part. Sometimes, if I look hard enough, I can find the item on sale on a specific site, and can pay for it including shipping, while still saving money from the regular retail price. Sometimes I call my mom and ask her if she needs anything I can add to my cart to make the minimum for free shipping. Sometimes I make sure I buy the hard to find item on a website like Target.com that has so many products in general that I can just stock up on brown rice or laundry detergent to make the minimum. It's guaranteed to not be a waste of cash. And of course, the most obvious tip of all: If the site you're purchasing from is not giving you a better deal than what you can find in your local stores, don't buy it online and just go in person if you have the time. In fact, many times I shop online at Crate and Barrel's or The Container Store's websites and order things for pick up. It still saves me time walking around in the store and standing in line for the cashier, and I don't pay for shipping.
I'd rather spend that money on
Shipping in emergency situations. For every time I don't pay $3 for shipping on something I can buy just purchase down the street with my own two feet, I save money to get things shipped when the stakes are high. Like when it's a month before Christmas and a gift for someone takes 6 weeks unless you pay extra for shipping. Or only one site in the world sells a product you need and you have no choice but to pay the shipping fee. Or when you mail an important possession to your parents and want to insure your package. I never know what expenses life will throw at me, so it's good to be prepared by saving small amounts of money here and there on the daily.
7. Streaming services
Fact: There are probably Amish people who have watched more Netflix than me. If you know me, then you know that I watch RuPaul's Drag Race with everyone at The Cafe in The Castro and spend the rest of my time watching re-runs of The Golden Girls and The Nanny or YouTube. Call me limited, but I sincerely don't like the format of today's television shows or the fact that everyone in every genre of show sounds like they're a Law & Order detective scripted by Aaron Sorkin. For a woman who is down to make it rain when it comes to building her teak spoon collection, I act like money is tighter than a pair of spanx when it comes to paying for steaming services and television shows. They are not a priority for me.
And you may feel differently. Maybe there are cable or Hulu or Netflix shows that really tickle your fancy and make you happy. Steven adores watching sports and is more than happy to pay the cable or streaming fees to see his favorite teams in action. And in that case, they're not a waste of money. But if you are paying for a streaming service you don't use, or used to use to watch a show that no longer exists, or paid for so you could keep up with what your friend is watching, you'll be happy when you finally get rid of it and stop seeing it on your credit card bills.
I'd rather spend that money on
Going to see a movie at Alamo Drafthouse or The Castro Theatre with Steven. When I see an opportunity to see a classic or old film on the big screen, I always take it.
8. Games
The only thing I know about video games is press A to jump. And I don't even know if that's true anymore. Video games are such a not only popular, but beloved form of entertainment. And many people utilize videogames to keep in touch with friends and loved ones, near and far. Mobile gaming has also become an enormous industry that people love to spend time and cash on.
I personally am video-game impaired and therefore don't enjoy playing them. And not spending a dime on video and mobile games makes a huge difference in my bank account. I mention this not, because I don't believe there's value in videogames for others, but because this is a monthly expense I notice most of my friends have, so it becomes one of the first things I mention when they ask me "How can you afford that new set of glassware?" or "How do you go out to eat both days of the weekend?" It's the same idea as when I wonder how my friends can afford fancy new consoles and monthly gaming subscriptions. The answer is our entertainment priorities are different. And maybe when you look at your friends' expenses, you may realize that there's something everyone is spending money on that you're not. So remember that the next time anyone judges or questions an expense of yours. As long as you budget for it, it's only your business.
I'd rather spend that money on
My blog. My blog is my hobby and the thing that keeps me occupied during the week. It costs a few hundred dollars a year to maintain my domain and advertise my articles on Instagram and Facebook, but it makes me feel very happy and fulfilled, similar to how video games make my friends feel fulfilled and connected. The main thing is that we only spend money on hobbies we get good use and feelings out of.
9. PARTYING
Back in college, I used to have the energy and the stomach lining to handle some really fun partying. I was constantly at concerts, out dancing with friends and boys and could handle a multitude of drinks. Now, after half a sip of pinot grigio, I need a nap. Everyone at some point in their life hits a wall where they suddenly lack the energy for a rager or an all-nighter. For some it's 21, for some it's 45. For me it was 24. I all of a sudden needed 8 hours of sleep to fully function, I started to get sick after more than one drink and I started getting headaches over everything. Plus my lifestyle changed a lot when Steven and I decided to focus on building our lives in our then-new apartment. So I stopped spending money on going out to party.
This saves me a ton of money on cover charges, Ubers, tickets, convenience fees and most of all, alcohol. And again, (are you noticing a trend in this article?) if partying is fun for you, is part of your job or hobby and gives you a ton to look forward to, I think there's nothing wrong with that. But if you ever feel you're being pressured by others around you to go out, resist it and save your money for a more fun night out later or on something else more important to you in you life. There is so much FOMO to be had and I get it all the time. But I realize that for every two nights I don't go out partying, I can buy decor for my house or a fancy grocery store ingredient or whatever else I need that month.
I'd rather spend that money on
Travel. I love to travel and wish I could do it more often. But when I do go somewhere, I try to get as much out of the experience as possible...and that costs money. Personally, I like to save up money for my experiences while traveling, and that's precisely where my money that used to go towards clubbing goes at this point in my life.
10. Knick knacks
Between the two of us, Steven and my only knick knacks are three Funko Pop dolls that he keeps on his desk at work, some drag queen pins I've received as free gifts and a wooden wishbone we joked that we would use to determine who would take out the trash. But we talk so damn much that we just always end up going together as we continue long conversations. After those all started to look cluttered, we decided we would stop buying knick knacks all together. They rarely give us entertainment that lasts more than a few weeks, they take up space in what's already a very small apartment, and they just no longer go with our decor and aesthetic. Back in college, I loved collecting little desk toys and puzzles or the 2013 equivalents of fidget spinners. But for my current lifestyle, they'd only be hectic to organize and would definitely cause me stress.
I'd rather spend that money on
Kitchen tools. As time has gone by, Steven and I have really enjoyed learning how to cook. And part of that has required many appliances and tools. From meat thermometers to hand mixers to lemon zesters, we have had to spend a lot of money on our kitchen supplies, and also a ton of time organizing them in our limited space. But it's all been worth it as we use 70% of our kitchen supplies every week, and love every minute of it.
11. Temporary solutions
There are moments in life when temporary solutions are absolutely necessary: Like when you're moving into a new place and your bed hasn't yet arrived, you absolutely have to buy a sleeping bag and pillow. When you're on vacation and you randomly decide to go to the beach, you absolutely have to buy a cheap bathing suit and towel. And in those moments I am ok spending money on temporary items I'm not 100% sold on just to make my life easier.
But then there are countless times we spend money on temporary solutions and end up dissatisfied or making things more expensive for ourselves. For instance, the moment Steven and I moved into our apartment, we knew we wanted to buy canisters for flour, cereal, grains etc. But the OXO containers we wanted were really pricey. So we put it off until we were able to find a great deal on them. That took many months. In the meantime, we kept our items in their original containers and plastic bags, sealing things with clips, zippers and velcro. There were days when we'd get frustrated and feel like buying temporary cheaper canisters even if they were much less attractive. But then I did the math. Temporary canisters would still cost us around $60. The goal was not only to store food, but to store food in the containers I liked at a good price. If I spent $60 on temporary canisters, that's $60 less that I have to spend on the product I really want. So we waited it out, spent $200 on the canisters we wanted and realized we'd have had $60 less in our bank accounts if we had gotten fed up and bought a temporary solution. And maybe owning the cheap canisters would have made us feel like it was unnecessary to spend money upgrading later on to what we wanted in the first place.
I know that's not the most exciting story in the world, but if you have ever come across a situation like that, I think it's beneficial to ask yourself if something is a real emergency, or if the affordable or easily accessible solution is actually of worth to you. If it makes you life better and puts you at ease, use it. If it only will increase your expenses, leave it on the shelf.
I'd rather spend that money on
The higher quality version of the item that I can use again and again for years to come. Making investments like that make my credit card bill look not so good for one month, but once I pay it off, I have a product I no longer need to shop for.
12. RANDOM SALES
When looking at a sale item, always ask the age-old question: Would I buy this if it was full price? It works every time. Even with the most expensive items. If you come across a designer bag that's normally $1500 and you find it for $500, still ask yourself the question. I know what you're thinking: "No I wouldn't buy it if it were full price because I can't afford to spend $1500 right now. That's why I want it for $500. Duh." And in those cases, ask yourself the question again, just with a twist on it: "If I were a rich person, would I spend my $1500 on this designer bag?" If the answer is yes, then get it. If the answer is "Nah, I'd definitely get a different bag," then leave it on the shelf and spend your money on investing in something you truly find beautiful, and not just something worth a lot more that happens to be on sale.
While things are full price, I make wish lists online and in my head. These are lists of products I think are beautiful, worth their full price and something I would actually use. Then when I see sales at my favorite stores or on my favorite sites, I check to see if the items I loved are on sale. If they are, I buy them. But if it didn't naturally catch my eye and interest when it was full price, I don't spend money on them at a fraction of the cost. Sometimes it's hard to walk away, but if I can't guarantee myself I'll use something, I know it's soon to become clutter.
However, the moment that a staple item that I use, or something I've had my eye on for a while goes on sale, I'm on it.
I'd rather spend that money on
Full priced versions of things I know I'll use. Paying full price is a bit painful when you're a coupon queen like me, but I've learned over time that investing in products I know I like and paying full-price for them, is always more worth it than paying a fraction of the cost of something I might regret later. Think about it this way: I'd rather invest $50 in a verified product, than potentially throw away $25 on a random sale item if I end up not liking it.
13. LITTLE ONES
Believe me. Steven and I want children someday in the far away future, and absolutely love dogs. But with our lifestyles, that is absolutely impossible. We live in a small apartment with no doggie door, downtown where the nearby parks and side streets are covered in litter, filth and even heroin needles (Welcome to the SOMA.) We just wouldn't feel right with our 9-5 work schedules, leaving a dog to pee on a wee-wee pad for 8 hours a day, just to not being able to guarantee a walk if we're not able to drive to a decent park for them. Props to people who make that lifestyle work, but we just feel it'd be too hectic for us. Plus, I only have room for one fluffy buddy in my heart right now, and that's my family dog, Pepper (see the adorable photo above,) who lives with my parents (who I do send Christmas and birthday gifts to, so in a way I do sort of invest in a pet.) And we absolutely positively could not afford a child at this moment in time. So again, props to everyone who makes that work.
If you have a pet or of course a child, then you know that it's a true financial investment paying for their food, supplies, health and happiness. And you in turn get a beautiful happy being that loves you a whole lot. That's fulfillment we don't get right now as people who are childless and petless. But it's also not an expense of ours. When people ask us how we afforded a weekend trip or an upgrade around our house, they're many times people who come home to bundles of joy every day. And I have to remind them "We don't have children or pets." But like I said, for now, we also don't get to experience the joy of having them either. That's the trade-off as people experience things at different stages of their lives.
There is no "What I'd rather spend that money on" section because we do want to spend money on those things, just at a later date. One day I'll have the money, time, space and emotional energy to handle pets and babies, but that time is not now for us personally. So next time you see me spend money on a plate of fancy cheese, just remember Steven and I only come home to each other in the evening for now. If you get to pick up and cuddle your bundle of joy, or get a huge lick on the face from your fluffy best friend when you get home, remember that that's the joy and fulfillment you're paying for that other people just don't happen to have. For the moment we have a few stuffed animal hedgehogs and that's just fine by us.
I hope you've enjoyed the tips and tricks to saving money from this article. Again, this is in no way me telling you how to spend your money. It's just an outline of what I save on, to give you a different perspective. And maybe by reading this, you've noticed something you could stand to spend less on. The main thing to me is that we're spending money on things that make us happy and fulfilled, and not on things that we couldn't care less about. For more posts like this, give me a like on Facebook or subscribe to my newsletter!