Top 10 Series: the top 10 goods and services I do not buy

Inspired by recent discussion at Money Saving Mom.com about the top items that people should buy or should not buy, I am running a series in April and May about the top 10 things I purchase or don't purchase regularly.

Some of the points are actual physical items; other points are a bit more broad. In many cases, the reason I purchase a specific item is because we have a brand preference - and we choose to save money elsewhere in the budget so we can afford that specific item!

In May, I will share the top 10 things I do not purchase in four different categories: food, household products, health and beauty products and other miscellaneous products around the home.

These lists will be based on my opinions and my purchasing habits. Each individual and family will have different priorities for how money is spent. If your priorities are different, that's okay!

Here are the top 10 goods and services around the home that I do not purchase, in no specific order:

1. Haircuts - Ok, we do cut our hair...but we do it cheap. :) For my husband, I purchased a razor set a few years ago, so I cut his hair at home. I was so scared at first, but a friend helped me - and it really is EASY! For me, I only get two haircuts (trims, really) per year, so that doesn't cost much.

2. Clothes - Of course, we purchase clothes occasionally, but certainly not often. In the past two years, each of us has only gotten a handful of new clothes items - and only when they are absolutely necessary. I try to purchase at the thrift store, but I haven't had much luck around here with that. However, I have gotten some fabulous deals at Target for me (i.e., $3 tank tops, free leggings...)! We save a significant amount of money by simply making do with what we already have. And shouldn't that be true in all aspects?!

3. Books - I love to read! However, we can't afford to spend money on books. That means we utilize our local library (and its interlibrary loan system) frequently. I also occasionally use my Swagbucks for Amazon gift cards, which helps us purchase books that we know we want to keep in our home library.

4. DVDs - Neither my husband nor I care for movies, so this is an easy one for us. In our 3+ years of marriage, I think we may have purchased a handful of movies (and one was a Veggie Tales movie for $4!).

5. Movie theater - Since we don't care for movies, we also don't go to the movie theater. In our relationship, we have been to the theater exactly two times together (one time was to see Fireproof)! We actually don't even rent movies to watch at home because that just doesn't interest us (not to mention, the nearest movie rental kiosk is at least 15 minutes away!).

6. Greeting cards - I'm not much for greeting cards, but I do generally include them with gifts and such. I never pay more than $0.50 though! Both Dollar General and Dollar Tree have cards for $0.50. It's also helpful to watch for all the "free card" offers online.

7. Lunches out - Both of us pack our lunch everyday when we work. That right there saves so much money!

8. Professional tax prep - We are self-employed and use Turbo Tax Deluxe. Our first year in ministry, a fellow pastor's wife helped us. This year, we did them all on our own (what a proud day for us!). Turbo Tax really does all the work for you, and provides protection as well.

9. Digital prints and photo books - At this point, we don't spend any money on either of these. That may change once we have children, but for now, it's certainly not a necessity.

10. Extended warranties - Generally speaking, we do not purchase these. In rare cases (like our new treadmill), we did spend the money upfront for a "care plan." But overall, extended warranties are not a necessity (in our opinion).

To catch up on the previous installments in this series:

1. the top 10 food products I buy
2. the top 10 household products I buy
3. the top 10 health and beauty products I buy
4. the top 10 items around the house that I buy
5. the top 10 food products I do not buy
6. the top 10 household products I do not buy
7. the top 10 health and beauty products I do not buy

Top 10 series: the top 10 health and beauty items I do not buy

Inspired by recent discussion at Money Saving Mom.com about the top items that people should buy or should not buy, I am running a series in April and May about the top 10 things I purchase or don't purchase regularly.

Some of the points are actual physical items; other points are a bit more broad. In many cases, the reason I purchase a specific item is because we have a brand preference - and we choose to save money elsewhere in the budget so we can afford that specific item!

In May, I will share the top 10 things I do not purchase in four different categories: food, household products, health and beauty products and other miscellaneous products around the home.

These lists will be based on my opinions and my purchasing habits. Each individual and family will have different priorities for how money is spent. If your priorities are different, that's okay!

Here are the top 10 health and beauty items that I do not purchase, in no specific order:

1. Specialty shampoo or conditioner - For myself, I usually buy the cheaper shampoo and conditioner products. I am not picky about it, as long as my hair is clean! It is important to note: Since we moved to a rural area about two years ago, I have {mostly} given up playing the "Drugstore Game."

2. Name-brand contact solution - Target brand contact solution works perfectly fine for me and is less than half the cost of name brand.

3. Name-brand medication - Generic medications have always worked well for us; I've never seen the need to purchase name-brand medications (unless, of course, they are free!).

4. Make-up - I am very minimal when it comes to make-up: a bit of foundation and some lip balm, and I'm set. This is not an area where I choose to spend much money.

5. Expensive manual toothbrushes - I aim for about $0.50 per manual toothbrush (or less). The average toothbrush cleans my teeth just as well as an expensive one.

6. Travel size items - I am able to obtain most of the travel items we need by requesting samples online or by getting the item for free after a coupon (when there are no size exclusions).

7. At-home or salon hair color - I choose not to color my hair, which creates significant savings.

8. Make-up remover - I use a basic facial cleanser to wash my face at night and have never had a need for a specific make-up remover product. Granted (per #4 above), I don't wear much make-up!

9. Hair detangler - Hair detangler is so easy to make at home! Save a spray bottle and fill it almost full with water. Then add 1-2 teaspoons of conditioner. Shake well and spray on hair!

10. Other hair products (mousse, gel, etc.) - My hair care routine is very simple. I only use a touch of hairspray daily and skip other products like mousse and gel.

To catch up on the previous installments in this series:

1. the top 10 food products I buy
2. the top 10 household products I buy
3. the top 10 health and beauty products I buy
4. the top 10 items around the house that I buy
5. the top 10 food products I do not buy
6. the top 10 household products I do not buy

Top 10 Series: the top 10 household items I do not buy

Inspired by recent discussion at Money Saving Mom.com about the top items that people should buy or should not buy, I am running a series in April and May about the top 10 things I purchase or don't purchase regularly.

Some of the points are actual physical items; other points are a bit more broad. In many cases, the reason I purchase a specific item is because we have a brand preference - and we choose to save money elsewhere in the budget so we can afford that specific item!

In May, I will share the top 10 things I do not purchase in four different categories: food, household products, health and beauty products and other miscellaneous products around the home.

These lists will be based on my opinions and my purchasing habits. Each individual and family will have different priorities for how money is spent. If your priorities are different, that's okay!

Here are the top 10 household products that I do not purchase, in no specific order:

1. Disinfecting wipes - I generally only purchase disinfecting wipes when I get them for about $0.02 per wipe. I enjoy the convenience of wipes, but they cost far too much to use regularly. For most of my cleaning, I use all-purpose spray cleaner with a microfiber rag.

2. Laundry detergent - Yes, I buy laundry detergent! However, I don't spend much on laundry detergent. I aim for about $0.04 per ounce (liquid) and I use far less than the recommended amount for each load. As long as my clothes are clean, I'm a happy camper!

3. Liquid fabric softener - I have never understood the purpose of fabric softener! I absolutely never spend money on fabric softener, although I do currently have some that I received for product tests.

4. Dryer sheets - Recently, I've been air-drying our clothes and then "tossing" them in the dryer for about 10 minutes to release the wrinkles and remove the static (this practice has shaved about $15 off our electric bill!). I use a half dryer sheet per load. Dryer sheets are usually fairly cheap (about a penny each) with coupons at Target. I do find that we need at least a half sheet in with our clothes because I can't stand static cling!

5. All-purpose cleaner - I use all-purpose cleaner regularly, but always stock up for about $0.50 per bottle. I'm not loyal to any brand, so I'll use whatever brand is offering a deal. I also use cleaner sparingly, so it lasts quite a long time.

6. Paper towels - We are nearly paper towel-free at our house! I estimate that we use approximately four rolls per year now. I use rags for dishes and cleaning and save paper towels for grease & a few other nasty messes that we may have. I usually buy the cheap paper towels for about $0.75 per roll.

7. Sponges - I personally find sponges to be disgusting. I stick to rags that can be washed frequently.

8. Disposable plates and silverware - I am also anti-disposable plates and silverware (much to my husband's dismay!). I find them to be so wasteful, and I'd rather use the nice stoneware that we received for our wedding (or my grandma's china!). We do keep some disposable items on hand for picnics or when we are moving.

9. Rinse aid for dishwasher - I have never used rinse aid and my dishes and glasses are always sparkling clean. I've never even tried the vinegar idea - I simply don't use any rinse aid!

10. Air fresheners - I only use air fresheners when I am able to get them for free! I like having them around the house, but they are not something on which I am willing to spend money.

To catch up on the previous installments in this series:

1. the top 10 food products I buy
2. the top 10 household products I buy
3. the top 10 health and beauty products I buy
4. the top 10 items around the house that I buy
5. the top 10 food products I do not buy

Top 10 Series: the top 10 food items I do not buy

Inspired by recent discussion at Money Saving Mom.com about the top items that people should buy or should not buy, I am running a series in April and May about the top 10 things I purchase or don't purchase regularly.

Some of the points are actual physical items; other points are a bit more broad. In many cases, the reason I purchase a specific item is because we have a brand preference - and we choose to save money elsewhere in the budget so we can afford that specific item!

In May, I will share the top 10 things I do not purchase in four different categories: food, household products, health and beauty products and other miscellaneous products around the home.

These lists will be based on my opinions and my purchasing habits. Each individual and family will have different priorities for how money is spent. If your priorities are different, that's okay!

Here are the top 10 food products items that I do not purchase, in no specific order:

1. Boxed dinners - These are very expensive and ultimately, not very healthy. I cook from scratch most of the time and we have found that we prefer this over boxed meals. For a knock-off on "Hamburger Helper," check out my recipe.

2. Premade frozen meals (gluten free or regular) - I never purchase premade gluten free frozen meals because I have never found one that tastes even remotely good, plus they are insanely expensive! We only rarely purchase regular frozen meals - as a treat for my husband.

3. Gluten free box mixes (cake, brownies, cookies, etc.) - I generally never purchase these types of mixes (although they are sometimes given to me).

4. Margarine - We don't buy it. I use only butter! I watch for sales on butter and in our area, usually pay no more than $2 per pound.

5. Gluten free crackers - I make my own cheesy gluten free crackers and they are so yummy! The boxed crackers are extremely pricey, and frankly, not that tasty.

6. Canned fruits and vegetables - We much prefer fresh fruits and vegetables.

7. Taco seasoning packets - The packets are quite expensive (usually) and we have found that we much prefer my homemade seasoning more.

8. Bottled water - This would be a huge waste for us! We have a Brita filter pitcher at our house (and our condo also has an excellent water filtration system). I use reuseable water bottles like they are going out of style!

*Note - In some cases, bottled water is a necessity if water is not safe (or if it's orange, like the area where our church is located! We get around that by filling gallon jugs with water from home, so we still aren't buying bottled water.).

9. Chicken broth - Nearly two years ago, I learned to make my own chicken broth, and since then, I have never purchased canned broth. Making homemade broth is surprisingly easy - and it tastes so delicious!

10. Breadcrumbs - It took me a long time to realize that you can actually purchase pre-made breadcrumbs in the store! I make breadcrumbs in my blender and then freeze them. I usually do a quart-size bag at one time, so I don't have to make breadcrumbs each time I need them.

And two honorable mentions, because I couldn't keep this list at only ten:

11. Baby carrots - If we want carrot sticks, I make my own! Pre-cut baby carrots cost about two times as much as whole carrots.

12. Potato chips - We rarely purchase potato chips anymore. I do still love my tortilla chips from Aldi, though!

To catch up on the previous installments in this series:

1. the top 10 food products I buy
2. the top 10 household products I buy
3. the top 10 health and beauty products I buy
4. the top 10 items around the house that I buy

Top 10 Series: the top 10 items around the house I buy

Inspired by recent discussion at Money Saving Mom.com about the top items that people should buy or should not buy, I am running a series in April and May about the top 10 things I purchase or don't purchase regularly.

Some of the points are actual physical items; other points are a bit more broad. In many cases, the reason I purchase a specific item is because we have a brand preference - and we choose to save money elsewhere in the budget so we can afford that specific item!

In April, I will share the top 10 things I purchase in four different categories: food, household products, health and beauty products and other miscellaneous products around the home.

These lists will be based on my opinions and my purchasing habits. Each individual and family will have different priorities for how money is spent. If your priorities are different, that's okay!

Here are the top 10 miscellaneous household items that I purchase, in no specific order:

1. Kitchen knives - A nice set of kitchen knives makes cooking so much easier! We don't have a high-end set, but we also don't have a cheap set - we have a middle-of-the-road set that works for us. My father-in-law usually sharpens our knives a few times a year for us.

2. Shoes - New, quality shoes are so important. I absolutely refuse to buy used shoes and I would never wear them. The same will go for our future children (it's even more important for growing feet to have new shoes!). Now, I do often get great deals on shoes (by watching for sales and coupons), but we're willing to spend the money.

3. Cookware - Our stainless steel cookware set is wonderful. It was a wedding gift and considering I cook seven nights per week, it definitely gets its use. Stainless steel is also super easy to clean, which is a bonus in my book. In addition, we've replaced one pan already and only had to pay the shipping; the (free) warranty provided us with a new pan for $0!

4. Bakeware - Quality bakeware is also a great thing. I have Farberware - and nothing sticks to it! Our bakeware items were also wedding gifts.

5. Stand mixer - I have a Kitchen Aid Artisan stand mixer and I love it! I had one of these on our wedding registry, but I didn't receive it; I finally had the money to buy it about one year ago and I am so glad that I did. Truthfully, I am not exactly sure how I survived without it! I use it several times per week for so many different kitchen tasks.

6. Sheets - I admit it - we're suckers for nice, comfortable sheets. :) Most of ours are around 300 thread count, and those are perfectly fine. However, we also have a set of 700 thread count sheets (that I got for $20 - they were used on a store display!) and those sheets are awesome. I worked in the Home Department at a department store and I would not recommend anything under 300 TC.

7. Pillows - My husband and I each have a "wedge pillow." He uses his for acid reflux; I use mine for allergies and sinus problems. Wedge pillows make a huge difference for us! My husband also likes his "cooling" pillow from JCPenney.

8. Bath towels - In the words of my husband, we don't want bath towels through which we could read the newspaper. We have nice, quality towels, although they certainly aren't extremely expensive for towels. We have been married for three+ years and are still using towels that were wedding gifts, so they hold up well (which makes them more worth the money!).

9. Name brand printer ink - We have tried the refilled ink cartridges and they mess up our printers every time. Because of that, I make it a point to purchase the name brand printer ink; I can usually find a nice deal on Amazon (and then I use Swagbucks to purchase it!).

10. Phone/cable/Internet package with caller ID - My husband is a pastor, so we have a landline with caller ID so our cell phone numbers aren't available to the entire congregation. We've discussed dropping this landline, but our cell phones don't work at our condo, so...for now, we keep the landline. We also have a basic cable package for the sports fanatic in our house (hint: it's not me!). We don't spend anything else on entertainment (no movies, rare dining out, etc.), so this is a choice that we have made. I will say that it would be the first thing to go if we ever got in a tight spot (and we both agree on that).

And one additional thing...

Simon, our Shih-Tzu
And yes, he is laying in a basket of blankets!

11. our dog! We rescued Simon nearly three years ago and he is a very important member of our family. He truly keeps us sane (we can tell him anything and he just listens!) and is basically our first child. :) Truthfully, he doesn't cost much at all - and he's worth it!

To catch up on the previous installments in this series:

1. the top 10 food products I buy
2. the top 10 household products I buy
3. the top 10 health and beauty products I buy

Top 10 Series: the top 10 Health and Beauty product I buy

Inspired by recent discussion at Money Saving Mom.com about the top items that people should buy or should not buy, I am running a series in April and May about the top 10 things I purchase or don't purchase regularly.

Some of the points are actual physical items; other points are a bit more broad. In many cases, the reason I purchase a specific item is because we have a brand preference - and we choose to save money elsewhere in the budget so we can afford that specific item!

In April, I will share the top 10 things I purchase in four different categories: food, household products, health and beauty products and other miscellaneous products around the home.

These lists will be based on my opinions and my purchasing habits. Each individual and family will have different priorities for how money is spent. If your priorities are different, that's okay!

Here are the top 10 health and beauty products that I purchase, in no specific order:

1. Listerine (or Scope) - I used to have trouble with mouth sores (runs in the family...), but I don't get them when I use mouthwash daily. Because of this, I make it a priority to use only name brand mouthwash. I can usually find it on sale, but I do try to stock up with several bottles at a time when I find it at my buy price.

2. Crest with Scope toothpaste - My husband happens to be partial to this toothpaste, so I buy it. Not a battle worth fighting, in my opinion! (I will use whatever toothpaste I get for free, so it all balances out!)

3. Floss picks - Both my husband and I prefer floss picks to regular dental floss. If it means we floss regularly, then floss picks are worth the cost!

4. Head and Shoulders shampoo - Man, this stuff is pricey, but it's a necessary evil!

5.  Shaving gel - I stick with name brand shave gels (NOT foam) for both of us.

6.  Cetirizine allergy medicine - Both of us use this allergy medicine daily, during at least part of the year. I have never used name-brand allergy medicine, which certainly helps the cost. But, I won't use any other type of allergy medicine, either!

7. Visine eye drops - I use eye drops (both contact drops and allergy drops) regularly and actually can usually get Visine for less than store brand! I do prefer Visine, though.

8. Antiperspirant/deodorant - This is just one of those items for which we have strong brand preferences. I use either Dry Idea antiperspirant or Secret Clinical. I usually buy either Axe, Gillette or Old Spice antiperspirant for my husband.

9. Razors and blades - I only buy name-brand razors and blades. There's just no other option! (Like I've said before, buying the entire razor as part of a deal is usually cheaper than buying replacement blades.)

10. Hand cream - I have very dry skin, so I prefer creams like Eucerin or Cera Ve. Both are pricey, but very necessary.

To catch up on the previous installments in this series:

1. the top 10 food products I buy
2. the top 10 household products I buy

Top 10 Series: the top 10 household products I buy

Inspired by recent discussion at Money Saving Mom.com about the top items that people should buy or should not buy, I am running a series in April and May about the top 10 things I purchase or don't purchase regularly.

Some of the points are actual physical items; other points are a bit more broad. In many cases, the reason I purchase a specific item is because we have a brand preference - and we choose to save money elsewhere in the budget so we can afford that specific item!

In April, I will share the top 10 things I purchase in four different categories: food, household products, health and beauty products and other miscellaneous products around the home.

These lists will be based on my opinions and my purchasing habits. Each individual and family will have different priorities for how money is spent. If your priorities are different, that's okay!

Here are the top 10 household products that I purchase, in no specific order:

1. Shout laundry stain remover - I use Shout like it's going out of style! No other stain remover that I have tried even comes close to Shout, so I'm sticking with it. I am usually able to pick it up on sale, but if it's not on sale, I will still purchase it.

2. Two-ply toilet paper - This is something on which my husband and I are both firm! I do not buy the "scratchy" kinds of toilet paper. I aim for about $0.20 per regular-size roll (or less) and can usually purchase toilet paper for that price. Generally, I buy the store brand at Target.

3. Tissues - Because I have severe allergies (for my entire life), tissues are an essential part of my life. Some store brands are okay, but not all. During the height of my allergies, it's not unusual for me to go through half a box of tissues in one day!

4. Dawn dish soap - Nothing cleans my dishes as well as Dawn! What I especially have trouble with is degreasing - nothing cuts through the grease besides Dawn.

5. Microfiber rags - I have switched to using microfiber rags for much of my cleaning. They aren't expensive, but they work so well (and are so much less wasteful)!

6. Dishwasher detergent pacs or tabs - Over the years, I have found that dishwasher detergent packs or tabs consistently clean my dishes the best. Liquid and powder detergents never seem to get the job done. I watch for sales in order to pay around $0.10-$0.15 per load. I usually only run our dishwasher about once a week; I do some dishes by hand each night.

7. Dobie scrubbers - We have high-quality stainless steel pots and pans, which makes these Dobie scrubbers a requirement. They aren't expensive, either - but they are necessary!

8. Vacuum sealing plastic rolls - We received a Food Saver vacuum sealing machine about 16 months ago as a gift and I love it! I usually buy the plastic rolls on Amazon; they are pricey (I use gift cards that I get through Swagbucks, though!), but we buy meat in bulk, so vacuum-sealing makes sense for us.

9. Plastic bags - I keep a nice stash of freezer bags and sandwich-size bags on hand. We find these to be very necessary in our home! As a side note, the Aldi-brand or Target-brand bags work just as well as name brand.

10. Paper napkins - I'd go for cloth napkins at every meal, but my husband isn't so keen on that idea. I buy 250 paper napkins for $1.50 at Aldi and that package lasts us months. In general, we aren't messy people, so we're not using multiple napkins per day anyways.

Top 10 Series: The top 10 food items I buy

Inspired by recent discussion at Money Saving Mom.com about the top items that people should buy or should not buy, I am running a series in April and May about the top 10 things I purchase or don't purchase regularly.

Some of the points are actual physical items; other points are a bit more broad. In many cases, the reason I purchase a specific item is because we have a brand preference - and we choose to save money elsewhere in the budget so we can afford that specific item!

In April, I will share the top 10 things I purchase in four different categories: food, household products, health and beauty products and other miscellaneous products around the home.

Now, these lists will be based on my opinions and my purchasing habits. Each individual and family will have different priorities for how money is spent. If your priorities are different, that's okay!

Here are the top 10 food items that I purchase, in no specific order:

1. Meat - My husband is a "meat and potatoes" guy, so meat is an important part of our budget. Of course, I look for sales and I stock up (vacuum sealed in the freezer) whenever I can. But, believe me, there will be a mutiny if I ever try to serve a vegetarian meal!

2. Yoplait yogurt - This is only kind of yogurt that my husband will eat. :) This brand is generally priced comparably and I'm often able to snag coupons for it, so it's quite affordable for us (I aim for under $0.50 per cup if possible.)

3. Fresh produce - Fresh produce is a must in our home. Of course, we eat what's in season, which means we eat more in the summer. Overall, we aim for several servings of fruits and vegetables each day - whether that's fresh or frozen.

4. Minute Maid OJ - Whenever possible, I buy Minute Maid brand orange juice (sometimes concentrate, sometimes fresh).

5. Udi's gluten free bread - Udi's is the most "normal-tasting" gluten free bread that I have found. I really like it for sandwiches!

6. Pre-shredded cheese - Where I live, shredded cheese is actually cheaper (per pound) than block cheese. That little fact basically seals that deal for me! And, who doesn't like the convenience of not having to shred your own cheese?

7. Gluten free flour blend - Recently, I have been purchasing gluten free flour blends and really find that they are well worth the money. My two favorite blends are Better Batter and Meister's GF. I'd like to try making my own, but it's rather cost-prohibitive right now as I can't purchase the ingredients in stores near me.

8. Lunch meat - My husband likes to eat several sandwiches each week, so we make lunch meat a priority in our budget. I usually watch for sales and buy extra to freeze. We also like to buy summer sausage, which we can get for $3-$4 per pound.

9. Beef hot dogs - I personally don't care for hot dogs, but I do keep a package on hand - the only requirement is that they must be all-beef hot dogs.

10. Spaghetti sauce - I have tried making my own spaghetti sauce and we just weren't impressed with it. In addition, it costs the same to make it from scratch as it does to buy it, so I just buy it.

11. Butter - And because I couldn't leave butter out, I had to add a number 11! We only use butter - I absolutely refuse to buy any sort of margarine product anymore. Like many other items, I watch for sales and buy extra to keep in the refrigerator.