20 Things I Stopped Buying, Keeping, and Storing

Over the past couple of years, I’ve gently taught myself how to stop buying unnecessary stuff; not through rules or restrictions, not even by reading about minimalism, but by paying attention to what actually serves me in my home.

If you are a long time reader, you know how much I loved (maybe I still do a little!) to pick up cute little seasonal decor, tiered tray tchotchkes, candles, and throw blankets! I was always picking up extras, stash things “just in case,” or hold onto items I thought I should keep. But slowly, I began to notice that peace came from less, not more.

This list will not teach you how to become a minimalist. I have a long way to go, so I am not even remotely insinuating that I got it all figured out. I have a log way to go! However, I think you will appreciate my honest look at 20 small things I’ve stopped buying, storing, or saving; and how that choice made my home feel calmer and lighter.

If you’re trying to stop spending money on unnecessary things or looking how to stop buying things to save money, maybe this list will offer a little inspiration.

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How to Stop Buying Stuff: My Mindset Shift

If you’re wondering how to stop buying stuff you don’t need, here’s what helped me: I started paying attention to what actually gets used, loved, and adds value in my home. I noticed which items were always out and useful, and which ones just took up space.

One thought that has really helped me stop buying stuff on impulse is this: I tell myself, “I’m going to go home. If I’m still thinking about it tomorrow, I can come back.” And if it’s gone? Then it wasn’t meant to be. The funny thing is—I’ve never gone back. Once I walk away, my mind moves on, and the relief of not spending the money outweighs the temporary want every single time.

Over the past couple of years, I let my home teach me. Now, when I’m tempted to buy something, I think of the drawer that’s already full, the item I never ended up using, or the peace I feel when my space is clear. That mindset made it easier to pause, and often, to walk away empty-handed but content.

It’s also how I learned to stop buying unnecessary things and save money, without strict budgets or rules. Just a shift in awareness that made space for something better.

And, in light of shifting awareness, and making space for something better, here’s my list of 20 things I stopped buying, keeping and storing, so I can save money, reduce clutter, and focus on what we actually use and love.

1. Gift Bags and Tissue Paper

I used to save every gift bag and piece of tissue, just in case. I now keep a small drawer of gift bags in various sizes. If a nicer one comes in, I’ll swap it for one in the drawer to avoid overflow.

Tissue paper, though, I throw it away. It’s inexpensive to replace and not worth the crumpled clutter. Learning what to stop buying to save money sometimes starts with the smallest items.

2. Scented Candles

Scented candles seem to multiply in this house. So, last year I made a rule: I won’t buy more until I use up the ones I already have. And if I don’t use them within a year, I donate them and treat myself to a new one.

I recently purchased a candle warmer lamp, and I find myself using my candles more often since getting it. I used to hold back from lighting them because the smoke would bother my sinuses and head. With the warmer, the wax melts without any smoke, so I can enjoy the scent without discomfort—and technically, the candle never runs out of wax.

While adding a candle warmer might sound like bringing more “stuff” into the home, it’s actually something I love, use, and display year-round.

I now keep only my true favorite candles and skip the impulse buys. Especially inexpensive little votives I used to pick up at the Target’s Bullseye Playground. It’s one way I’ve learned how to stop buying unnecessary things.

3. Faux Flowers and Fake Plants

I’m at a point where I am not adding any more floral accents to the house. The ones I have are fine for now, but I might or might not replace them when they wear out. A little greenery is nice, but too much becomes visual clutter. They also collect dust, lose their shape in storage, and not to mention, how storing them became so cumbersome and time-consuming during seasonal changes.

Now, instead of storing bins of faux florals year-round, I’d rather purchase one beautiful, intentional natural floral bouquet for special occassions or holidays. In the long run, it saves me time, space, and surprisingly even money.

4. Fabric Bins

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’re likely aware that I have a passion for bins and baskets. What organizing blogger doesn’t? Over the years, I’ve collected many bins through various organization projects. To reduce clutter, I’ve decided to remove all fabric bins from our closets. While they initially look tidy, they tend to sag and lose their shape over time. I’ve stopped purchasing fabric bins and switched to more structured and long-lasting options, like these plastic storage baskets.

I haven’t stopped buying storage bins when I am working on a project because I truly believe they are the best way to organize a space. However, I am now more mindful when purchasing them, avoiding buying unnecessary ones and saving money.

5. Tiered Tray Décor

These little knick-knacks added up fast and collected dust. I’m also officially over the whimsical farmhouse style—though I loved it while it lasted. Most of the pieces were inexpensive little finds that ended up taking up more space in my closet and more time than they were worth: choosing, arranging, staging, and swapping them out for every season.

I still use my tiered tray as part of my coffee station to hold mugs, and maybe—just maybe—I’ll add a touch of fall or Christmas. But never again will I pull off a full-blown tiered tray like it’s coming out of a magic hat.

6. Plastic or Melamine Holiday Dinnerware

I used to buy fun-themed sets for gatherings or holidays, but they never stored well or held up over time. One year, I even bought a full Christmas set, only to realize it wasn’t worth keeping around for the other 11 months of the year.

When it came time to use them again, I usually needed more plates than I had, and I ended up buying disposable ones anyway. It just didn’t make sense!

I still keep my fancy porcelain Christmas china, the kind I bring out for Christmas Day. That set is meaningful and worth storing because it’s tied to memories and tradition. But the cheap melamine? I’ve learned how to stop spending money on unnecessary things, and that was an easy place to start.

7. Patterned and Themed Kitchen Towels

They were cute, but often not very absorbent or durable. I used to buy them just for the look—grabbing seasonal or themed towels that matched the moment or trend. Again, impulsive buys I didn’t think through. But I’ve learned that letting go of these small decorative purchases is one of the ways I’ve stopped buying stuff that doesn’t truly serve my home.

These days, I mostly use classic white flour sack cloths and a few neutral options that actually work well and wash up beautifully. The only exception is Christmas. I still bring out a few festive towels during the holidays—they add so much charm and warmth to the season, and for that, I’m all in.

8. Wall Signs and Tabletop Quotes

I still love meaningful words and quotes, but having too many around felt like too much visual noise. I’ve kept a few I truly love and let the rest go.

Once again, I’m trying to transition out of the farmhouse décor phase—and that includes scaling back on all the quote signs, including much of my Rae Dunn collection. While I’ve held onto a couple of sentimental or especially beautiful pieces, I’ve donated several hand-painted wooden signs that once sat on every surface.

Over time, I’ve realized it’s more impactful to have one larger statement piece on a console, shelf, or side table than two or three small trinket signs competing for attention. Too many fonts, words, and phrases scattered throughout the home started feeling more like clutter than inspiration. Now, I’m aiming for calmer surfaces and letting fewer, more intentional pieces speak louder.

9. Throw Blankets and Decorative Pillows

I used to rotate pillows and throws every season—in our living areas and our master bedroom. But the thought of swapping them, washing them, storing them, and staging them (not to mention the analysis paralysis of deciding what to put where) wore me out. Now I keep just a year-round set, a Christmas set, and one fall pillow for my chair. It’s what we actually use and love—and it helps us avoid overstuffed storage bins.

It was that season of grief a couple of years ago that taught me no amount of rotating décor could bring joy back into my life. And while it might sound radical—yes, pretty things can bring joy—those vanity things don’t un-break hearts. They can’t teach us what truly matters. Time is better spent with the people we love than on the constant upkeep of things.

10. Door Wreaths and Garlands

At one point, I had two wreaths for every season. That’s eight wreaths! One day, going through my seasonal decor closet, I realized how bulky and hard they were to store. So, I went from eight down to three. A single classic wreath for the front door—plus one for fall or Christmas—are more than enough.

Wreaths and garlands can be beautiful, but storing them was more trouble than joy. They took up oversized bins and always needed fluffing or fixing. I’ve learned that curb appeal doesn’t have to change every season. .

11. Themed Mugs, Any Mug

They took up space most of the year. I’ve narrowed it down to a few favorites that I use often and let the rest go.

I used to have mugs for every mood, holiday, and season. But most sat untouched, buried in the back of the cabinet. Now, I stick to a handful of neutral mugs and feel good in my hand. They serve me every day—no more clutter for the sake of cuteness or trends.

12. Trendy Home Décor

I’ve stopped chasing the latest looks—no more Rae Dunn mugs and canisters, over-labeled decor. I prefer simple and timeless. This helped me stop buying stuff I don’t need. It’s become a good rule: if it has words written on it, I don’t need it.

Trends come and go, and I’ve realized how quickly “current” pieces can feel outdated. Instead of constantly refreshing my décor to keep up with Target’s Threshold aisle, I invest in pieces that are neutral and meaningful. I want our home to feel peaceful, not like a TJ Maxx aisle.

13. Nail Polish

For the last 14 years (since becoming a mom) I probably have three or four (at the most) professional manicures per year. I just don’t like spending money on something that, for me, it’s unnecessary. So, instead, I started purchasing inexpensive nail polish promising that I would give myself a manicure once every couple of weeks. Well, that didn’t happen!

So, I accumulated a rainbow of colors that sat under the bathroom sink and got gloppy and hard with time. Now I keep maximum three—nude, light pink, and clear. For special occasions and alternate colors, I’ll treat myself to a professional manicure or if I am on a pinch, I use drugstore press-ons or stick ons. It’s one less drawer of clutter.

By simplifying down to the tones I actually wear (most of the year), and I’m much happier with an uncluttered drawer and lower expectations. Another unnecessary thing (for me) that I stopped buying impulsively and it’s saving me money.

14. Specialty Home Cleaners

I’ve found a favorite multi-surface spray that works for almost everything. And I always have handy the ingredients to make a homemade countertop cleaner.

Every cleaner promises something different, but I am not exaggerating when I tell you this one works everywhere in the kitchen: granite counters, ceramic stove top, stainless steel appliances, microwave and oven glass (window), and our kitchen wooden table and chairs. I also use it for all non-porous wood (or laminated wood) surfaces at home.

Right there I am ditching at least four extra products. And I love that it saves me time, money, and space under the kitchen sink.

15. Extra Flower Vases

For years, I saved every clear vase, thinking they might come in handy. But they rarely did. I used to save every single one, “just in case”; especially the basic ones that come with floral deliveries. I even made a set of faux concrete vases with those. But saving those little vases in the garage, was more aggravating than rewarding.

I’ve kept four decorative vases in different shapes and sizes to suit the season or occasion—and donated the rest. Storing only a few favorites feels good! The rest were just glass clutter collecting dust.

16. Seasonal Tablecloths and Placemats

I used to buy them -particularly on sale or clearance- by the end of whatever the season was. But more often than not the tablecloth did not fit my table as I expected, and the placemats shrunk after one wash. So, I am sticking to one neutral set of placemats all year, and bring out themed placemats only at Christmas.

It felt joyful and festive to change things up, but more often than not, I forgot what I had or it didn’t match what I needed. I’ve realized simplicity is just as beautiful—and it means less to buy, store, and clean.

17. Travel-Size and Hotel Toiletries

I used to stash them in my bathroom cabinet, but I always bring and use my own products every time I travel, so I do not need to take travel size, or hotel toiletries with me. I know they’re cute and “free” but I do not use them!

It’s better to travel with my trusted products in refillable containers. It feels more luxurious, and I don’t come home with unnecessary extras.

18. Seasonal (Coconut Coir) Doormats

Seasonal coconut coir doormats were inexpensive and fun to switch out, but they faded quickly (who am I kidding? the next day they were covered in all sorts of things!) and were bulky to store. I keep one neutral mat that works all year long.

I used to love the idea of changing mats with every season, but storing dirty, stiff mats was awkward, and they wore out fast. A simple, classic mat welcomes guests just fine. Although funny, I have no need for welcome statements (like this one!).

19. Party Supplies in Bulk

I was a hoarder of these. Mostly because it was good to have them for staging parties when I made handmade party goods. Today, I only sell DIY digital designs, and a weight has been lifted since I minimized the amount of supplies in my office.

Extra paper napkins, cups, or themed plates used to pile up. Now I keep it simple and plan just for what we’ll use. Buying in bulk felt practical, but I often forgot what I had or didn’t use it in time. These days, especially with a soon-to-be 15 year old boy, I do not need throw parties, really. So, whenever I need something, I buy them and stick to minimal extras.

20. Craft or DIY Project Supplies

If a project idea has been sitting around for months (or years), I let it go. Space and peace are worth more than unfinished plans. I recently let go of probably 90% of my paper punchers.

Once, these supplies sparked creativity. But now they mostly remind me of unfinished projects and guilt. Letting go of the extras made room for what I actually enjoy doing, and if inspiration strikes again, I trust I’ll find what I need then.

Letting Go of Unnecessary Things

Learning how to stop buying stuff doesn’t mean becoming rigid or joyless, it just means paying attention, becoming more aware of the things that you need. Every time I choose not to bring something into my home, I say yes to something else: more space, more clarity, more intention.

Letting go isn’t always about decluttering, it can start at the store, before anything even comes in. When you know how to stop buying stuff you don’t need, you make room for what matters most.

to fresh starts, Flavia 🌿