If you avoid these 10 popular purchases, you’re probably smarter with money than 95% of people

I grew up in a family that stretched every currency unit with creativity. Years later, I live in a comfortable apartment in São Paulo with my husband and our daughter, and I still feel that tug to separate wants from habits.

The truth is, most people don’t overspend because they are reckless. They overspend because the culture normalizes certain purchases.

I’ve fallen for a few myself. The shift happened when I started asking a simple question before buying anything: will this actually move my life forward or is it just noise?

Here are the 10 purchases I actively skip or question hard. If you avoid them too, you’re probably already ahead.

1. The brand-new car with a long loan

A shiny car feels like progress. I get it. When we first moved to Brazil, we considered buying new. The dealer smell almost convinced me. Then we ran the numbers.

Depreciation in the first years was brutal, and the long loan would have dragged behind every other goal.

A reliable used car with a short payoff put money back into the rest of our life. It also freed my brain from worrying about every scratch. If you love cars, fair. If you just need to get from A to B, your future self will thank you for skipping the showroom premium.

2. Constant phone upgrades and “smart” add-ons

There is always a new camera mode and a new shade of beige. I wait until my phone truly slows down, then I replace the battery or offload apps.

My rule is simple. If I cannot list three practical ways the upgrade will pay me back in time, money, or sanity, I sit it out.

I treat wearables the same way. One tracker for steps and sleep is useful. Buying a second watch because it looks cute on Pilates day is lifestyle creep in disguise.

3. Extended warranties and device insurance

I used to say yes at checkout because it felt responsible. Most of those plans never paid off.

Many credit cards already include purchase protection. Manufacturers often cover parts that actually fail. The few times we needed repairs, the cost was still less than years of premiums.

I keep a small “oops fund” for cracked screens and surprise fixes. It gives the same peace of mind without the constant drip.

4. A gym membership I won’t use

Fitness is essential in our home. The waste comes from paying for a gym that I barely visit because my day is built around a toddler and work.

I learned to be honest about my season of life. Right now I get more from floor workouts during nap time, a jump rope, resistance bands, and stroller walks.

When a membership matches your routine, it is a gift. When it fights your reality, it becomes a donation. Try the routine at home for a month first. If you show up, then pay.

5. Delivery markups and convenience fees as a default

Delivery apps are a blessing on tough days. The problem is when they become the default. In our neighborhood, delivery often adds service charges, inflated menu prices, and tips.

Multiply that by a busy season and you have a silent budget leak.

I keep a list of fast, cheap meals on the fridge. Ten ideas that take under 20 minutes, many plant forward to keep things light. When I’m tired, I look there first.

We still order in sometimes. It just feels rare and special again.

6. Trendy baby gear and specialty kid stuff

As a mom, I want everything that promises comfort or development for my daughter. That impulse is strong. Then I remember how quickly kids outgrow things.

Borrowing from friends and buying secondhand saved us from closets full of plastic. We stick to sturdy basics and a few joyful items we use daily.

With toys I rotate a small selection and put the rest away. Less clutter, more focus. The best “purchase” has been time on the floor, reading the same board book for the eleventh time.

7. Fast fashion hauls

I used to impulse buy tops that looked good under store lighting. They lived in my closet and confused my mornings.

A capsule approach gave me freedom. I buy fewer pieces, better fabrics, tailored to my daily life. Neutrals with a few accents. Everything works together, and I wear each piece hard.

“Cost per use” is my quiet filter. If a dress costs more but I wear it a hundred times, it is the smarter buy. If a cheap shirt pills after two washes, it was expensive after all.

8. Single use kitchen gadgets

I love to cook. I also love clear countertops. Most single use gadgets take space, steal time to clean, and repeat what a knife already does. I keep a sharp chef’s knife, a cutting board, a heavy pan, and a blender. That setup covers 90 percent of our meals.

If I want a specialty tool, I wait a month. If I still think about it after all those dinners, I consider it. Usually, I forget.

9. Subscription sprawl

Subscriptions hide in the background. Music, storage, news, language apps, streaming bundles you forgot to cancel.

A few months ago my husband and I did a digital audit on a quiet Sunday. We listed everything and asked, do we use this weekly, or does it serve a clear purpose?

We canceled half. The savings now fund experiences we truly enjoy, like babysitter hours for date night. As author Morgan Housel puts it, “Savings are the gap between your ego and your income.” I remind myself of that line when a free trial winks at me.

10. One day showpieces for weddings and parties

I love hosting. Still, I skip décor and outfits that only work once. I choose simple pieces I can reuse, borrow from friends, or rent when I want something bold. Memories grow from good food, thoughtful music, and people who feel cared for.

On our wedding anniversary, we cooked at home with candles, a playlist, and dessert from our favorite bakery. It cost less than a big night out and felt more intimate.

The point is to honor the moment, not the invoice.

A few mindset shifts that keep me steady

I keep three principles near the front of my wallet. They guide decisions across categories.

• Front load savings and investing. Automated transfers move money out before I see it. “Save before you spend” is old advice, and it works because it removes willpower from the equation.
• Buy time first. Anything that gives me more sleep, better health, or peaceful mornings earns priority. The rest waits. Small daily cuts matter less than big wins, so I focus on the large levers like rent, salary, and recurring bills.
• Choose friction on purpose. Unsubscribing, deleting shopping apps, and using a 24 hour rule for non essential buys slow me down in the best way. The pause creates clarity.

How I explain this to friends without sounding preachy

Personal finance is personal. I share what works for us and leave space for different values. If someone loves cars or home espresso, I cheer for their joy and adjust my examples. The real flex is being aligned with your own priorities.

When a friend asks for a starting point, I suggest tracking spending for 30 days. No judgment, just awareness. Then pick one leak from this list and plug it for a month. Celebrate the win and roll it into the next one.

What skipping these purchases has given me

Saying no to popular buys created room for our family goals. We travel to see grandparents more often. We invest consistently. We keep weeknights calm. Most days feel lighter because there is less to maintain and less to chase.

That is the part I want you to feel. More space, more choice, more quiet confidence.

Final thoughts

Money choices do not need to be flashy. The smartest ones are often quiet and repetitive. Cook more at home, wear the clothes you own, drive something reasonable, and say no to shiny things that do not serve your actual life.

Then use the money and time you saved to build memories, grow your security, and rest a little deeper tonight.

One small decision at a time is how you change your life. Simple behavior beats complex products when it comes to wealth. That is the game I plan to keep playing.